> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.contextual.io/documentation-and-resources/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.contextual.io/documentation-and-resources/components-and-data/object-types/object-type-details/data-schema/generated-properties/dates-and-times.md).

# Dates and Times

Generate a Zulu Date and/or Time value for a property in your schema, which will be generated and added to the Record at the time a Record is created. Use the following variables in the `format` as you see fit to customize the generated value based on your needs.

* If format is unspecified, the default pattern is `2024-05-09T15:28:51.572Z`.
* `yyyy` = the year as 4 digits
* `M` = the month as 1 or 2 digits
* `MM` = the month as 2 digits
* `d` = the day as 1 or 2 digits
* `dd` = the day as 2 digits
* `D` = the day, month and year as `5/9/2024`
* `DD` = the day, month and year as `May 9, 2024`
* `h` = the hour as 1 or 2 digits, 12 hour clock
* `HH` = the hour as 2 digits, 24 hour clock
* `m` = minute as 1 or 2 digits
* `mm` = minute as 2 digits
* `ss` = second as 2 digits
* `SSS` = millisecond as 3 digits
* `a` = `AM` or `PM`
* `t` = time as `3:06 PM`
* `tt` = time as `3:06:22 PM`
* `T` = time as `15:06`
* `TT` = time as `15:06:22`
* `'custom string'` = the custom string value

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="2024-05-09T15:28:51.572Z" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```json
  "properties": {
    "myPropertyName": {
      "type": "string",
      "generate": {
        "type": "datetime",
        "format": ""
      }
    }
  }
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="May 9, 2024" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```json
  "properties": {
    "myPropertyName": {
      "type": "string",
      "generate": {
        "type": "datetime",
        "format": "DD"
      }
    }
  }
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="5/9/2024, 3:06 PM" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```json
  "properties": {
    "myPropertyName": {
      "type": "string",
      "generate": {
        "type": "datetime",
        "format": "D', 't"
      }
    }
  }
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="3:06 PM" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```json
  "properties": {
    "myPropertyName": {
      "type": "string",
      "generate": {
        "type": "datetime",
        "format": "t"
      }
    }
  }
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


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