Creating Date and Time Fields

There are two date and time property types that can be used to create new date or date and time fields. The Date type has only a date component, while the Date/Time type has both a date and a time component.

To create custom date and time fields, do the following:

  1. Select [Component] > Advanced > Customize. [Component] corresponds to the component for which you are creating a property field.

    The Customize dialog box opens.

  2. Review the Customize dialog box to find the fields that can be customized. The fields and icon graphics accompanying them are as follows:

    • A field with a pencil in the center of the icon is an application field. It is always an enumerated type and is fully customizable. You can add, disable, rename, and reorder its values.
    • A new field icon displays the head and shoulders of a person. It can be one of several types and is fully customizable. If the new field is disabled, the icon is greyed-out.
    • An application field with an icon containing a small yellow lock in the lower left corner is a restricted enumerated type. You can change only the names the application displays for the values of this field.
  3. Click Add.

    The Add Field dialog box opens.

  4. Type the name for the new field to be used by the database in the Field name field. Use only alphanumeric characters and no spaces in this name. The name should be less than 31 ASCII characters (including Usr_) and not contain the following characters, which are not accepted by one or more of the databases that the application supports: = \\.^$@,;!:#*&<>?-//%|[](())+"

    Note: Be careful about selecting the field name, as it cannot be changed once you click OK.

  5. Type the name that the application will display to users in the Display Name field.

  6. Select Date or Date/Time from the Type list. The Date type stores date values without requiring inclusion of Time.

    Optionally, select the Default value check box and type in a default date or time, using the appropriate format for your locale. This value automatically becomes the value used for all existing items that have the field as a property. It also becomes the default value for newly created items. You can change this value manually on the Custom tab of the item Property dialog box.

    Note: If you do not set a default, no value is placed in the database for any item with this field, unless you set the field to a value manually.

  7. Click OK.