Store Past or Future Date and Time

Ever want to use a future or past date dynamically in a survey? We have just the workaround for you! In this tutorial we will cover adding or subtracting time to/from the current date. 

Check it out in an example survey

OR

Add a survey with this setup to your account!

This script uses the following question types or actions:

• Hidden Value to Store Date for Later Use
• Custom Scripting Action

First build out your survey page with your hidden value on it. Add a Custom Script Action by clicking Add New Action > Custom Script. Copy and paste the Custom Script below. 

%%format = "Y-m-d";
%%now = sgapiStrtotime(sgapiDate(%%format)) + 172800; //Replace 172800 with the amount of seconds you'd like to add or subtract and change the + to a - if you'd like to subtract.
%%twodays = sgapiDate('Y-m-d',%%now);

sgapiSetValue(3,%%twodays);// 3 is the ID of the Hidden Value 

Required Modifications: 

The highlighted elements above will need to be changed to match your survey. 

1. First, you will want to decide if you are adding or subtracting time. If you are subtracting, change the plus sign to a minus. 
2. Next decide how much time you'd like to add or subtract. Calculate that time into seconds and put that in place of 172800 (2 days in seconds). 
3. To finish, change the 3 to the ID of the hidden value you've created. If you are unsure of how to find that ID check out our tutorial on How to Find Question IDs. 

Once you have that custom script in place, move that custom script action above your hidden value to make sure it populates. 

Now you'll be able to use the merge code for that hidden action later on in your survey! 

Now you're ready to test your survey. Is your merge code populating with the date? If so, you've suceeded! Congratulations! If not, double check your hidden value ID and make sure your custom script precedes the hidden value. These are the most common issue we see in support. 

@plans @pro @ent