# Set current datetime

**Set current datetime** node is designed to capture and store the current date and time in a specified format. This node is particularly useful when you need to timestamp events, record the exact time of an operation, or work with time-based data in your workflow.

### Properties Panel

| **Field**       | **Description**                                                                                                                                              | **Required** |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------ |
| Node name       | [Node Name](https://docs.cosmocloud.io/flow-builder/node-name)                                                                                               | true         |
| Variable name   | The name of the variable where the current datetime will be stored                                                                                           | true         |
| Datetime format | <p>The format in which the datetime should be stored<br>Options - <code>ISO Datetime</code>, <code>Epoch Seconds</code>, <code>Epoch Milliseconds</code></p> | true         |

### Usage

1. Specify a variable name where the current datetime will be stored.
2. Select the desired format type for the datetime

### Format Types

The node supports three format types for storing the datetime:

1. `ISO Datetime`: Returns the current datetime in ISO 8601 format (e.g., "2024-07-22T10:30:00.000Z")
2. `Epoch Seconds`: Returns the current time as Unix timestamp in seconds (e.g., 1721234567)
3. `Epoch Milliseconds`: Returns the current time as Unix timestamp in milliseconds (e.g., 1721234567000)

### Returns

The node stores the current datetime in the specified variable. You can access this using Magical Autocomplete (e.g., `$.variables.<variable_name>`) in any node below this node.

### Example

Let's say you want to record the exact time a user action was performed:

1. Set Variable name to `action_timestamp`
2. Set Format type to `ISO Datetime`

This will store the current datetime in ISO format in the variable `action_timestamp`. You can then use this timestamp in subsequent nodes.

### Best Practices

* Be aware of timezone implications when using `ISO Datetime`. The timestamp is generated in the server's local timezone.