Adds a timestamp to a features as a new attribute in the form of a date, time (with or without UTC offset), or datetime (with or without UTC offset), in local or UTC time. The timestamps created are in the Standard FME Date/Time Format.
Typical Uses
DateTimeStamper can be used to generate today's date, and be used with DateTimeCalculator to compute tomorrow's and yesterday's dates. It can be used to leave a fractional timestamp on a feature, which allows output features to be sorted and retrieved by timestamps. Timestamps also facilitate comparison operations. To format timestamps for a destination writer, use DateTimeConverter.
How does it work?
DateTimeConverter uses @DateTimeNow() underneath the cover.
Configuration
Input Ports
Input
This transformer accepts any feature.
Output Ports
Output
A timestamp attribute will be created on the output feature.
Parameters
Type
This parameter can be set to one of the following values: Date, Time, or Datetime. All these types are output in the Standard FME Date/Time Format.
Time Zone
If set to Local, the current local date/time is output. If set to UTC, the current UTC date/time is output.
Note: If Type is set to Date, the value of Date may change when the value of Time Zone changes.
UTC Offset
If Type is set to Date, or if this parameter is set to No, no UTC offset is output. Otherwise, if this parameter is set to Yes, the UTC offset of the timestamp will be set according to the value of the Time Zone parameter.
Result Attribute
Specify the name of the timestamp attribute.
Preview
Shows the current timestamp according to the parameter values.
Editing Transformer Parameters
Using a set of menu options, transformer parameters can be assigned by referencing other elements in the workspace. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers. To access a menu of these options, click 
beside the applicable parameter. For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.
Defining Values
There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters. There are a number of tools and shortcuts that can assist in constructing values, generally available from the drop-down context menu adjacent to the value field.
How to Set Parameter Values
Using the Text Editor
The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Using the Arithmetic Editor
The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Conditional Values
Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.
Parameter Condition Definition Dialog
Content
Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors.
Content Types
| These functions manipulate and format strings. | |
| A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor. | |
| Math functions are available in both editors. | |
| These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor. | |
| These return primarily feature-specific values. | |
| FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used. | |
| Working with User Parameters | Create your own editable parameters. |
Reference
See also:
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Processing Behavior |
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|
Feature Holding |
No |
| Dependencies | None |
| FME Licensing Level | FME Base Edition and above |
| Aliases |
DateStamper TimeStamper |
| History | |
| Categories |
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