Date math in actions lets you embed a relative date (for example, “today + 1 week” or “today − 1 day”) inside an action so the correct date is generated automatically when you trigger the Word. This is useful for templates, reports, follow-up emails, and any text that should always reflect the current date.
Examples
You can type date expressions directly in actions (for example, in Substitute Text or Substitute Content) and combine them with normal text:
today– Today’s datetoday+1w– One week from todaytoday-1d– Yesterdaytoday+1m– One month from todaytoday+1y– One year from today
Note: Do not include spaces in date expressions. Use today+1w, not today + 1 w.
How to Use Date Math in an Action
- Create or edit a Word.
- Choose an action type that inserts text (for example, Substitute Text or Substitute Content).
- Type your text and include the date expression where you want the date to appear.
- Save the Word. When you trigger it, ActiveWords evaluates the date expression and inserts the resulting date.
Choosing the Date Format
The output format (Short date vs Long date) is set in Options → ActionPad under the date settings. The format you choose there is used when date expressions are expanded in the ActionPad and in actions.
Related FAQs
- Date Calculations – Date arithmetic in the ActionPad
- ActionPad – Overview and configuration
- List View – Create and edit actions
