Date & Time in Make.com: Practical How-To Guide

Working with dates and times in make.com is essential for building reliable automations that schedule tasks, compare timestamps, and format values consistently across apps.

This how-to article explains the core date and time functions available in the platform, how to format and manipulate values, and how to avoid common pitfalls when designing scenarios.

Understanding Date and Time Values in Make.com

Before calling any function, it is important to understand how date and time values are represented inside make.com.

• Dates are stored in a standard machine-readable format.
• Most modules output timestamps that can be directly used in functions.
• Function parameters frequently expect a date string plus a format pattern.

When building a scenario, always check the output of each module using the built-in tools or sample data so you know the exact structure of the date values.

Key Date and Time Functions in Make.com

The platform provides multiple functions specifically for date and time operations. Below is an overview of commonly used categories and what they do in a scenario.

Formatting Dates in Make.com

Formatting functions let you convert a raw timestamp into a human-readable string or into a specific pattern required by another service.

Typical use cases include:

• Preparing dates for emails and notifications.
• Standardizing formats before saving to spreadsheets or databases.
• Converting input from a form into a consistent global format.

In the Make editor, you usually provide:

1. A date value or timestamp from a previous module.
2. A format string that specifies how the output should look.

Common patterns include tokens for year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. Always confirm that the format string exactly matches what the receiving app expects.

Adding and Subtracting Time in Make.com

Another frequent requirement is shifting a date into the future or past. Date and time functions let you add or subtract units such as minutes, hours, days, or months.

These operations are useful for tasks like:

• Creating reminder times a few days before an event.
• Building follow-up schedules based on previous actions.
• Calculating expiration dates or deadlines.

In a typical scenario, you might:

1. Take a base date from a watch module or webhook.
2. Apply a date manipulation function with the desired offset and unit.
3. Use the result in a subsequent module to schedule or filter actions.

Be consistent with the time zones you use for these calculations to avoid unexpected results.

Comparing Dates in Make.com

Date comparison is essential when building filters and conditional paths in a scenario.

Common comparisons include:

• Checking whether a date is before or after the current time.
• Finding records updated within a specific time window.
• Triggering steps only when a date is within a set range.

In make.com, you often use comparison operators within filters, combined with date functions that produce the exact timestamp you need for the comparison.

Working with Time Zones in Make.com

Time zones can quickly cause confusion if not planned carefully. Many date and time functions in make.com allow you to specify a time zone or assume a default.

Follow these guidelines:

• Decide on a primary reference time zone for your automation.
• Convert all incoming dates to that reference early in the flow.
• Convert back to the local time zone only when displaying dates to end users.

When integrating with external tools, double-check whether those tools expect UTC or a local time zone and adjust your function parameters accordingly.

Step-by-Step: Using Date Functions in Make.com

This section outlines a general workflow you can follow whenever you need to use date and time functions in a scenario.

1. Inspect the Source Date Value

First, determine exactly what format the incoming date uses.

1. Run your scenario once with sample data.
2. Open the execution details and look at the date field.
3. Note the structure, including time zone information, separators, and order of components.

Correct recognition of the input format ensures that subsequent functions behave as expected.

2. Choose the Right Date Function in Make.com

Next, decide which type of operation you need:

• Formatting the date string for humans.
• Converting between formats for different apps.
• Adding or subtracting time to calculate new values.
• Comparing dates for filters and conditional branching.

Select the appropriate function from the date and time section in the mapping panel, then insert it into the field where you need the result.

3. Define Parameters and Format Strings

Most date functions in make.com require parameters such as the input date, a format pattern, and sometimes a time zone or time unit.

To avoid errors:

• Match the format pattern to the actual input or required output.
• Specify the correct unit when adding or subtracting time.
• Use explicit time zone settings if the default does not match your requirements.

Always test changes incrementally so you can quickly identify which parameter causes an issue.

4. Test and Validate Results

After configuring a date function, run the scenario again and review the results.

1. Open the module that uses the date function.
2. Check the output field in the execution log.
3. Confirm that the date and time are correctly formatted and aligned with your needs.

If the output still does not match expectations, adjust the format pattern, time zone, or units and test again.

Best Practices for Date Handling in Make.com

Following standard practices will keep your automations predictable and easier to maintain.

• Document the reference time zone used by each scenario.
• Keep date operations as early and as centralized as possible.
• Reuse common format patterns instead of inventing new ones for every field.
• Regularly test scenarios that depend on time-sensitive conditions.

By designing with these practices in mind, you reduce the chance of subtle bugs in schedules, reminders, and reporting flows.

Learning More About Date Functions in Make.com

The official reference for all date and time functions, including their exact syntax and options, is available on the platform documentation. For full details, see the source page at the Make date and time functions help.

If you want professional assistance designing complex automations, optimization experts at Consultevo can help plan and implement advanced workflows using the date capabilities of the platform.

With a clear understanding of how date and time functions work in make.com, you can create scenarios that schedule precisely, calculate correctly, and integrate smoothly with every external system you connect.

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