Use the time stamp control to use, view, and store absolute time with high precision. This data type can accurately store 18 digits of precision each in whole second and 19 digits of precision in fractions of a second. The time stamp wire data type stores values in UTC, but the time stamp control displays values in local time.

You can use a numeric control to display time stamp values, but the numeric control holds a relative quantity. The time stamp control holds an absolute quantity.

Complete the following steps to configure the time and date value in a time stamp control.

  1. Add a time stamp control to the front panel window.
  2. Use the Operating tool to click the Time/Date Browse button to display the Set Time and Date dialog box. You also can right-click the time stamp control and select Data Operations»Set Time and Date from the shortcut menu to display the Set Time and Date dialog box.
  3. Configure the time and date you want as the time stamp for the data.
Note To configure the time, click the portion of time, such as minutes or seconds, you want to configure. LabVIEW highlights the selected portion of time. Use the up arrow and down arrow keys to increment or decrement accordingly. You also can enter a new value in the selected portion of time.

You also can right-click a time stamp control and select Data Operations»Set Time to Now from the shortcut menu to set the time and date value to the current time and date.

You can change the time stamp control value programmatically by creating a Property Node from the time stamp control and wiring a time stamp constant to the Value property.

Note You cannot use units with the time stamp control. In addition, National Instruments recommends you do not use units with a numeric control formatted for absolute time.