Unix timestamp

Introduction

In NocoBase, the Unix timestamp field stores a Unix timestamp as an integer value.

It is suitable for time values from external APIs, logs, and synchronized systems. Use DateTime when users need to enter and manage ordinary date-time values directly.

Use cases

Unix timestamp fields are suitable for these business scenarios:

External API timestamps
Log and event timestamps
Synchronized system time values
Integer-based time values

Create and configure

On the collection's Configure fields page, click Add field and select Unix timestamp to create this field.

Configure a Unix timestamp field

Setting	Description
Field interface	The field interface. Unix timestamp uses `unixTimestamp`, which determines how the field is entered and displayed in pages.
Field display name	The name displayed for the field, such as `External timestamp`, `Event timestamp`, or `Log time`. Use a name that business users can recognize.
Field name	The field identifier used internally by APIs, relation fields, permissions, and workflows. It usually cannot be changed after creation. It supports only letters, numbers, and underscores, and must begin with a letter.
Field type	The data-layer type. Unix timestamp uses `integer` by default.
Default value	The default value. When a new record has no value, NocoBase can fill this value automatically.
Validation rules	Validation rules. Supports timestamp-format and required validation.
Description	A field description. Record the field meaning, entry requirements, data source, or maintainer.

Note

Field names are referenced by page blocks, permissions, workflows, and APIs after creation. Confirm the name before creating the field to avoid later configuration changes.

Field behavior

The default behavior of a Unix timestamp field is as follows:

Behavior	Description
Default Field interface	`unixTimestamp`.
Default Field type	`integer`.
Available Field types	`integer`, `bigInt`.
Page component	Uses a date-time presentation component for the timestamp where configured.
Filtering	Supports date-time and numerical filters where supported by the field mapping.
Sorting	Supports chronological sorting in Table blocks.
Validation	Supports timestamp-format and required validation.

Edit configuration

After creation, click Edit beside the field to edit its configuration. Edit fields to adjust how they are displayed and used in NocoBase, such as the display name, description, default value, validation rules, or field-specific settings.

When a field comes from a synchronized main-database table, editing usually maps the database field to a NocoBase Field type and Field interface.

Setting	Can be edited	Description
Field display name	Yes	Changes the name displayed in the interface without changing the field identifier.
Field name	No	The field identifier normally cannot be changed in the edit form after creation.
Field interface	Conditional	Main-database fields and synchronized fields can be adjusted during field mapping. Changes affect page input, display, and validation.
Field type	Conditional	Main-database fields and synchronized fields can be adjusted during field mapping. Confirm that existing values can be used by the new type first.
Default value	Yes	Adjusts the default value for new records.
Validation rules	Yes	Adjusts field validation rules.
Description	Yes	Adds the field meaning, entry requirements, data source, or maintainer.

Note

Changing a Field type or Field interface is more than changing a display name. It affects field storage, input components, validation rules, filters, and workflow-variable usage. When the field contains substantial existing data, confirm that its data format is compatible first.

Delete field

Click Delete beside a Unix timestamp field to delete it. You can also select multiple fields and delete them in the main data source.

Deleting a Unix timestamp field created in the main database usually also deletes the actual database column and its values. For a synchronized or external-data-source field, the impact depends on the corresponding data source and field origin.

Warning

Deleting a field can affect page blocks, forms, filters, permissions, workflows, APIs, imports and exports, and existing data. Confirm that the field is no longer referenced by business configuration before deleting it.

Use in pages

Unix timestamp fields are suitable for external-system timestamps and integration data.

Use a Unix timestamp field in a page

Scenario	Use
Form block	Enter or display a timestamp where needed.
Table block	Display, sort, and filter timestamps.
Details block	Display a converted timestamp.
Workflows and APIs	Pass integer-based time values to integrations.

Fields - Learn about field categories and mapping.
General collection - Create and manage fields in a collection.

#Unix timestamp

#Introduction

#Use cases

#Create and configure

#Field behavior

#Edit configuration

#Delete field

#Use in pages

#Related links