Stamp the Time and/or URL on a New Submission or Update

Caspio Bridge apps can automatically insert different kinds of data such as the current time and date or the web address (URL) of the hosting web page into a specific field whenever a record is created or modified.  This article covers:

• Adding a timestamp to a DataPage
• Recording a DataPage web address (URL)

Add a timestamp to a DataPage

A timestamp is a very easy way to add accurate date and time data whenever a record is created or updated.  It only takes a few minutes to implement.

1. Add a Date/Time field to your table’s design

To add a timestamp to a DataPage the base table must have at least one field with a Date/Time data type.  Go to the Tables section of the Caspio Bridge Explorer window.  Select the base table of your DataPage.  If you are not sure which is the base table, you can select a table and click on the Properties button.  Look under the Associations section to see if your DataPage is listed.

Change the design of your base table by clicking on the Design button.  Create a new field by entering a new fieldname.  Choose the Date/Time data type from the Data Type dropdown.  Click the Close button and click Yes to confirm save.

2. Change your field’s form element to TimeStamp

First you must add the new Date/Time field to the fields used in your Web Form or details page. To do so, go to the DataPages section of the Caspio Bridge Explorer window.  Select the DataPage where you want to add a timestamp.  Click the Edit button to open the DataPage wizard.  Proceed to the Select Fields screen.

There is only one Select Fields screen for a Web Form.  If you are using a Search and Report DataPage, however, then proceed to the Select Details Page Fields screen.  Move the Date/Time field to the right-hand column using the arrow button.  Click Next.

Now select the new Date/Time field in the DataPage Elements panel.  Use the Form element dropdown to select the TimeStamp option under Special Elements.  Click Finish.

That’s it!  Now whenever a record is added or modified through this DataPage current date and time data will be entered into that field automatically.

Setting your time zone

Does it look like your timestamps are returning the incorrect time?  You may have to change your time zone settings.  You can set the time zone of your DataPage(s) to your local time zone through Localizations.

Click on the Localizations button of the Caspio Bridge Explorer window.  Select the localization you are using for your DataPage.  Click the Edit button.  This will open the Localization wizard.  Click Next.  You should see a list of all of your DataPages.  The DataPages that use this localization are highlighted in blue.  Click Next again.

Select Time Zone from the Categories panel on the left.  Click the Enable Custom Time Zone checkbox and choose your time zone from the drop down menu.  All future timestamps using this localization will now be in the local time of the time zone you’ve selected.

Record a DataPage web address (URL)

The steps to automatically record the URL of a DataPage are very similar to the steps to setup timestamps.  Instead of using a Date/Time field you will use a Text(255) or a Text(64000) field to capture the data.  If you do not have a field for this purpose, follow the steps above and add a Text(255) field to your base table.

Go to the DataPages section of the Caspio Bridge Explorer window and select the DataPage that will record the URL.  Click the Edit button.  Proceed to the Select Fields screen.  If you are modifying a Search and Report DataPage, proceed to the Select Details Page Fields screen.  Move the new field from the left to the right-hand panel using the arrow button.  Click Next.

Select your new field from the DataPage Elements panel.  Use the Form elements dropdown and select AutoValue under Special Elements.  A section called Field Options will now be visible.  Under the AutoValue Type dropdown choose DataPage host.  Finally, using the radio buttons, select how much of the web address you would like to record.

AutoValue options for DataPage Host:

Complete URL (including parameters) – This setting will include the entire address as it appears in the end-user’s address bar including any parameters that were passed from the previous page.

Example: http://www.bayarealandmark.com/residential/Summer/contact.htm?Property_ID=8

Page URL (no parameters) – This setting will drop the parameters but include the protocol, the domain, all of the subfolders, and the web page where the DataPage is hosted.

Example: http://www.bayarealandmark.com/residential/Summer/contact.htm

Domain Name – This setting records the site’s domain only

Example: www.bayarealandmark.com