Date & Time Fields
Add date, time, and datetime fields with proper formatting and validation.
Important: Create Fields in QuickBase First
Before adding date and time fields to your SyncForms form, you must create them in your QuickBase table first.Date, Time, and Timestamp fields must be created in QuickBase before they can be used in SyncForms. Once created in QuickBase, the field will appear in the "Add Field" list when building your form.
Overview
Date and time fields allow users to select dates, times, or both. These fields provide proper validation and formatting to ensure data is stored correctly in QuickBase. All date and time fields that write to QuickBase must be created in your QuickBase table first.
Date Fields
Date fields allow users to select a date using a calendar picker. Dates are stored in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., 2024-01-15) and are automatically validated.
QuickBase Setup:
- 1In QuickBase, create a Date field in your table
- 2Configure the field name and any date range restrictions in QuickBase
- 3Save the field in QuickBase
- 4In SyncForms, the field will appear as a date picker with calendar interface
Use Cases:
- Due dates, deadlines, or target dates
- Event dates, meeting dates, or appointment dates
- Start dates, end dates, or date ranges
- Birth dates, hire dates, or other important dates
📅 Date Format:
Date fields use the HTML5 date input, which provides a native calendar picker on most devices. Dates are stored in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., 2024-01-15) to ensure compatibility with QuickBase.
Time Fields
Time fields allow users to select a time of day. Times are stored in HH:MM format (24-hour format, e.g., 14:30) and are automatically validated.
QuickBase Setup:
- 1In QuickBase, create a Time of Day field (or Time field) in your table
- 2Configure the field name in QuickBase
- 3In SyncForms, the field will appear as a time picker
Use Cases:
- Meeting times, appointment times, or start times
- Shift start times, break times, or end times
- Time tracking or time-based data entry
⏰ Time Format:
Time fields use the HTML5 time input, which provides a native time picker on most devices. Times are stored in HH:MM format (24-hour format, e.g., 14:30 for 2:30 PM) to ensure compatibility with QuickBase.
DateTime Fields
DateTime fields combine both date and time into a single field. These fields store a complete timestamp in ISO 8601 format (e.g., 2024-01-15T14:30:00Z) and are automatically validated.
QuickBase Setup:
- 1In QuickBase, create a Timestamp field in your table
- 2In SyncForms, the field will appear as a datetime picker
Use Cases:
- Event start/end times with specific dates and times
- Deadlines with specific times
- Logging timestamps for actions or events
- Scheduling appointments with specific date and time
🕐 DateTime Format:
DateTime fields store values in ISO 8601 format (e.g., 2024-01-15T14:30:00Z) to ensure compatibility with QuickBase. The format includes both date and time components with timezone information.
Adding Date & Time Fields to Your Form
The process for adding date and time fields is the same as other fields - they must exist in QuickBase first.
Step-by-Step:
- 1Create field in QuickBase: Create a Date, Time of Day, or Timestamp field in your QuickBase table
- 2Open your form in the Form Builder
- 3Click Add Field and select your QuickBase date/time field
- 4The field will automatically use the appropriate picker (date, time, or datetime)
- 5Click the field to customize label, required status, and other settings
Field Configuration
Customize how date and time fields appear and behave in your form.
Configuration Options:
- Label: Customize the field label (defaults to QuickBase field name)
- Required: Make the field mandatory (inherits from QuickBase if set there)
- Help Text: Add descriptive text below the field to guide users
Formatting is Automatic
Date and time fields automatically format values correctly for QuickBase. You don't need to configure formatting - SyncForms handles the conversion from user input to QuickBase's expected format (YYYY-MM-DD for dates, HH:MM for times, ISO 8601 for datetimes).
Best Practices
- Choose the Right Field Type: Use Date for dates only, Time for times only, and Timestamp when you need both date and time together.
- Clear Labels: Use descriptive labels like "Due Date", "Start Time", or "Event Date & Time" to make it clear what the field is for.
- Required Fields: Mark date/time fields as required when the information is essential for record processing or workflow.
- Help Text: Add help text to clarify date/time format or provide context (e.g., "Select the deadline date" or "Enter time in 24-hour format").