---
title: Use the Now component
description: Get the current date and time of the system as part of an automation Workflow by using the component in RPA Desktop Design Studio.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/integrate-applications/use-datetime-now.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [DateTime, Utilities, Automation components, RPA Desktop Design Studio, Robotic Process Automation \(RPA\) Hub, Workflow Data Fabric]
---

# Use the Now component

Get the current date and time of the system as part of an automation Workflow by using the component in RPA Desktop Design Studio.

## Before you begin

Role required: none

## About this task

You can configure the properties for the component. For more information about these properties, see [Properties of the DateTime components](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/integrate-applications/util-datetime-prop.md).

## Procedure

1.  In the Toolbox pane, navigate to **Utilities** > **DateTime**.

2.  Drag the Now component to the Design surface.

3.  Connect the data and control ports of the component to the corresponding ports of the other components as described in the following table.

<table id="table_jnw_jn1_krb"><thead><tr><th>

Port type

</th><th>

Purpose of connection

</th><th>

Mandatory?

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>

Data Out \(DateTime\)

</td><td>

Passes the current date and time of the system to another component.

</td><td>

Yes.To preview the data, right-click the **Return** field and click **Preview Data**.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Control In

</td><td>

Connects to the Control Out port of one or more components.

</td><td>

Yes

</td></tr><tr><td>

Control Out

</td><td>

Connects to the Control In port of any other component.

</td><td>

No. Connecting the port is optional.

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>4.  To test the component, under the **DESIGN** tab, click **Run**.


**Parent Topic:**[DateTime](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/integrate-applications/datetime-utility.md)