Possible to insert today's date (dynamically) as Form default using URL Query String

JLH

Hello -

I need to find a way to have a Date field default to the current date on a Form. (I can't use the systen-date field, as user needs to be able to override 'todays Date' if necessary)

Unfortunately, selecting the obvious Date field-type default value to 'Today' .... locks in, literally, today's date - the date the form was created - in perpetuity. This makes no sense given that someone who wants a fixed default date on the form can simply select that specific date and make it the default. The presence of a default value of 'Today' to my thinking, really implies dynamic assignment.... but anyhow....

From reading other posts, I can see that form fields can be pre-loaded by crafting a URL Query String.

Is there a way I can use this to pre-load a dynamic current date?

As in: URL.............. ?Entry%20Date= <<need current date here>>

Andrée Starå

Hi,

I tested a few ideas, but unfortunately, they didn’t work.

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment

As a possible workaround, you could use the third-party service, Zapier, which is an excellent option for this scenario. Is that an option for you?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Dale Murphy

How does Zapier insert a value into a form, especially one that can be overridden as needed?

Dale Murphy

"I need to find a way to have a Date field default to the current date on a Form. (I can't use the systen-date field, as user needs to be able to override 'todays Date' if necessary)" I echo this request.

Even if the calendar pop-up had a Today button in it functionality would be better. (This Today button is a feature in other SS date-calendar pop-ups)

Andrée Starå

Zapier wouldn't add the date to the form. It would be added after it's added to the sheet, but can then be changed if needed.

Make sense? Would that work?

JLH

Thank you, Andrew - but, no, I use Zapier for many things, but it will not help with the simple matter of creating a Smartsheet Form pre-loaded with an overideable current date value. That is why I was looking for a way to use the URL Query string. Unfortunately that seems to only allow Constant values - I need current date to be Dynamic.

Andrée Starå

@JLH Wouldn't it work if the date gets automatically added after the submission?

I'm not sure I follow!

Can you describe your process in more detail and maybe share the sheet(s)/copies of the sheet(s) or some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help. (share too, andree@getdone.se)

JLH

Hi Andree,

Yes, adding the date afterwards could work: if <date> no value then <date> = today

But was hoping for a proper/more-elegant solution, where current date actually displays in the date field on the form so that the user understands that they do not need to make an entry (unless the need to enter a non-'today' date)

Thank you

• jh

JLH

@DMurphy You can pre-load values into a form using URL variables... those long strings of '?=' clauses appended to many URL's. Here's how: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2478871-url-query-string-form-default-values

Andrée Starå

@JLH Excellent!

Happy to help!

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Lyz Kelk

@JLH How exactly do you use Today() in the URL? I am not getting the date, just the text Today() and field is a date field. Thank you!

Andrée Starå

Hi @Lyz Kelk

You can add it automatically after the form is submitted by using the created date column.

Would that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Mily Oti

@JLH I don't know if you would find this helpful but I found this post and thought it might be what you're looking for.

http://ronin-global.com/2018/07/20/defaulting-to-a-date-in-a-smartsheet-webform/