Date Calculations let you perform date arithmetic directly in the ActionPad and in your actions. Type expressions like today+1m and the result is substituted immediately—no need to look up the date yourself.
Enabling Date Calculations
Open Options and go to the ActionPad tab. Turn on Date Calculations to use date expressions in the ActionPad. On the same tab, set the date format for results: Short date or Long date. Short date is typically numeric (e.g. 3/3/2025); long date includes the day and month name (e.g. Monday, March 3, 2025). The format you choose here applies when you insert a date from the ActionPad or from an action.
Using Date Calculations in the ActionPad
Type a date expression in the ActionPad and press Enter. Use the single-letter units d, w, m, and y (not "day", "week", "month", or "year"). For example:
today+1m– One month from todaytoday+1w– One week from todaytoday-1d– Yesterdaytoday+1y– One year from today
Note: Do not put spaces in date expressions. Use today+1m, not today + 1 m.
See it in action
Set the date format (Short date or Long date) in Options → ActionPad.
Then open the ActionPad, type a date expression (e.g. today or today+1w), and press Enter. The result is inserted where your cursor is.
Using Date Calculations in Actions
Date calculations work in Substitute Text and Substitute Content actions too. You can embed date expressions within larger text—for example, a letter header that includes "long date minus one day" so the date updates automatically. This is useful for templates, reports, and any action where the date should reflect today or a relative date.
Related FAQs
- ActionPad – Overview and configuration
- Advanced Calculator – Math expressions in the ActionPad
- Windows Search – Search files, folders, and applications
