# now - script and chart function

This function returns a timestamp of the current time from the system clock. The default value is 1.

Syntax:

now([ timer\_mode])

**Return data type:** dual

Arguments:

Now arguments

| Argument | Description |
| --- | --- |
| timer\_mode | Can have the following values:<br><br><ul> <li>0 (time  at last finished data load)</li> <li>1 (time at function call)</li> <li>2 (time when the document was opened)</li> </ul><br><br>Information noteIf you use the function in a load script, timer\_mode=0 will result in the time of the last finished data load, while timer\_mode=1 will give the time of the function call in the current data load. |

Examples and results:

Examples and results

| Example | Result |
| --- | --- |
| `now(<br>0)` | Returns the time when the last data load completed. |
| `now(<br>1)` | <ul> <li> When used in a chart expression, this returns the time of the function call.</li> <li>When used in a load script, this returns the time of the function call in the current data load.</li> </ul> |
| `now(<br>2)` | Returns the time when the document was opened. |