# Date and Time with Now button

_How to add and configure a Date and Time with Now button field in the {{Notebook}}
Editor._

---

```{important}
Date and Time with Now button is **deprecated** as a separate field type for new form design.
It remains fully supported for existing notebooks and existing fields are not removed.
For new forms, use [Date time picker](date-time-picker.md) and enable its **Show "Now" button** option to capture the current timestamp with one tap.
```

## What This Field Does

A Date/Time with Now field captures timezone-aware timestamps in ISO 8601
format with UTC timezone preservation. It includes a convenient "Now"
button for one-tap capture of the current date and time — but also
accepts manually entered dates, including historical ones. This is the
recommended default for all timestamp fields, especially in multi-site
projects where timezone safety matters.

## Adding the Field

New Date and Time with Now button fields are not available from the add-field chooser.
The field type remains supported for legacy notebooks where it already exists.
For new forms, add **Date time picker** and enable its **Show "Now" button** option to get the same one-tap capture.

> **Note:** You can still edit Date and Time with Now settings for existing fields.

## Configuring the Field

Click the field's **grey header bar** to expand it and see its settings.
For an overview of the settings shared by all fields — including Label,
Helper Text, Field ID, and the field toolbar — see
[Field Identity](../shared-settings/field-identity.md) and
[Field Toolbar](../shared-settings/field-toolbar.md).

Give the field a meaningful Label, review the auto-populated
Field ID, and add any desired Helper Text.

```{screenshot} field-types-design/date-time-now-02-configured.png
:alt: Date/Time with Now configuration in the {{Notebook}} Editor
:align: right
:width: 100%
```

### Date/Time with Now-Specific Settings

| Setting                | What It Does                                                                                                                                          |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Time pre-populated** | When enabled, the field is automatically filled with the current date and time when a new record is created. Collectors can still override the value. |

### Shared Field Options

Configure any of the shared field options as needed.

For settings shared across all field types — including Required,
Annotation, Uncertainty, Conditions, Copy value to new records,
and Display in child records — see
[Field Options](../shared-settings/field-options.md).

## Tips

- **Date/Time with Now is the recommended default for all timestamps.** One tap
  captures the current date and time with timezone information,
  ensuring synchronisation safety across team members in different
  locations.
- **Prefer Date/Time with Now for all date-and-time capture, not
  just current timestamps.** Despite "Now" in the name, this field
  accepts arbitrary dates including historical ones.
- **The captured timestamp uses the device clock** — remind field
  teams to sync their device clocks before starting work each day.

## Migration Guidance

- Existing Date and Time with Now button fields can be left in place and will continue to work.
- For new templates, use **Date time picker** and tick **Show "Now" button**. The combined field supports both arbitrary date/time entry and one-tap "now" capture.