Hello everyone!
We're bringing back our Deluge Tips & Tricks series, where we show you how to make the most of Deluge for achieving a wide range of use cases.
Working with dates and times is a fundamental part of almost any business application. Whether you're timestamping entries, scheduling tasks, or sending notifications, knowing how to manipulate date and time values in Deluge is a crucial skill.
Deluge provides simple yet powerful functions to help you fetch the current time, reformat values, and perform time zone conversions. This post highlights how Deluge can become your go-to for handling many different use cases.
Zoho variables
Let's begin with the basics. Zoho variables are special predefined variables in Deluge that can be used across different Zoho services. Currently, Deluge offers two such variables related to dates and times: zoho.currentdate and zoho.currenttime. These return the current date, and the current date and time respectively, based on the format you've configured in the settings of the respective Zoho service. For more information, visit the
Zoho Variables help doc.
While the aforementioned Zoho variables are your go-to for fetching the current date and time, their default format is primarily useful for basic logging. But, in many scenarios, you may need to display this information in a different format or even convert it to another time zone. Fortunately, Deluge has you covered. Let's take a look at how:
Customizing date and time formats
Converting date formats
Different users often prefer different date formats when entering data, and Deluge makes it easy to handle these variations. For example, if you have a date stored as a string and need to convert it into a date variable, either to perform calculations or reformat it, you can use the toDate() and toString() built-in functions.
Here's a sample script which converts date from the dd/mm/yyyy format to the dd-mm-yyyy:
// Convert a string to a date variable
dateAsString = "03/12/2024 03:15:35";
dateObject = totime(dateAsString, "dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss");
info dateObject;
// Convert the date object back to a string in a new format
info dateObject.toString("dd-MM-yyyy hh:mm:ss");
Converting time formats (24 hours to 12 hours)
You may sometimes need to switch between a 24-hour format and a 12-hour format when using zoho.currenttime. Thankfully, Deluge makes this simple. Here’s how you can do it:
currentTime = zoho.currenttime;
info currentTime.toString("dd-MM-YYYY hh:mm:ss a");
// Example output: 25-09-2025 11:11:11 AM
Handling time zone conversions
In today's globalized world, your customers may be spread across different time zones, and to add to the complexity, large countries like the USA or Russia have multiple time zones even within their own borders. This can easily lead to head scratching scenarios when working with time-based data. Fortunately, Deluge has got your back here too.
The trick is to first convert the date-time string into a unixEpoch timestamp and then use toDateTimeString() to display it in the target time zone.
Converting your account's time to a user's time zone
The zoho.currenttime variable returns the time based on the setting you've chosen. Let's assume that your account is set for IST (Indian Standard Time) and you want to display it for a user in Los Angeles. Here's how to do it:
// zoho.currenttime returns an IST time
datetimeString = "21-Aug-2025 15:50:13";
// Convert the string to a Unix timestamp
unixValue = datetimeString.unixEpoch();
// Convert the Unix timestamp to a datetime string in the target timezone
info toDateTimeString(unixValue, "dd-MMM-yyyy hh:mm:ss", "America/Los_Angeles");
// Output: 21-Aug-2025 03:20:13
Converting between two specific time zones
What's more, the same approach can also be applied to convert between two time zones. You can specify the source time zone during the Unix conversion to do this. This is particularly useful when your input string is from a known time zone that isn't your server's default.
The below script demonstrates time conversion from IST to Sydney time:
// Specify the source timezone (IST) when converting to Unix epoch
unixValue = "25-Aug-2025 14:28:53".unixEpoch("IST");
// Convert to the target timezone (Australia/Sydney)
info toDateTimeString(unixValue,"dd-MMM-yyyy HH:mm:ss","Australia/Sydney");
// Output: 25-Aug-2025 18:58:53
You can learn more about toTime and toDateTimeString functions at these help links.
We hope these tips help you handle date and time operations in your Deluge scripts more effectively—they can be used across all Zoho services that support Deluge.
Deluge is a vast and powerful language and we aim to help you master it to make your life easier. We'll be back with more tips and tricks soon, so stay tuned!
And if you have any questions or other cool tricks, please share them below!
Until next time,
The Deluge Team
Recent Topics
Use arbitrary images in deluge
I am sending emails from my deluge code and I would like to be able to include a few images in the email template. While I know that I could put the on a website somewhere and link to them in the HTML, that is not what I want due to email client security
Funcionalidades y configuration ZohoDesk
Creo que no estoy sacando el provecho adecuado a la application quisiera solicitar una capacitación al respecto
How to call Functions and perform Write Operations using Page Scripts?
Hi everyone, How to call a function from a Zoho Creator application within a Page Script, also how to perform write operations (adding or updating records) using page scripts?
Connecting Airwallex in Zoho Books
I have a question. I’m trying to connect our Airwallex account to Zoho Books, but the integration does not seem to work. Could you please guide me on how to properly connect Airwallex? I need to see the expenses also, since it only shows the profits now
Questions Regarding Helpdesk & SalesIQ Customization and Email Setup
Hello, I hope you’re doing well. I have a few questions regarding Helpdesk and SalesIQ: Can the emails sent to customers via helpdesk tickets be fully customized — including signature, subject line, and other elements? Also, is it possible to send these
Button Duplication when emails forwarded or replied
When I create a new email template in campaigns and send it out it looks fine to all the users, however if that email is then on forwarded or replied to then all buttons within the email duplicate. See below The one on the left is the original one.
Workdrive backup and default storage selection
Hi community, I have been informed by Zoho that workdrive will be the default storage mechanism for crm and projects. These 2 Apps seem to have different design on how they interact with workdrive for storage. 1. Crm: seems to have files saves at the
Cliq iOS can't see shared screen
Hello, I had this morning a video call with a colleague. She is using Cliq Desktop MacOS and wanted to share her screen with me. I'm on iPad. I noticed, while she shared her screen, I could only see her video, but not the shared screen... Does Cliq iOS is able to display shared screen, or is it somewhere else to be found ? Regards
Ask the Experts 27: Onboarding and managing support reps
Hello everyone, We are back with our Ask the Experts (ATE) series for 2026. This year, we bring experts to help you address customer support challenges using Zoho Desk. For our first ATE, we are getting into the human side of customer support. "Every
CRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive
Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage files
Assign emails to lead
I have some contacts who refers leads but there is no away to manually assign emails to lead.
sync two zoho crm
Hello everyone. Is it possible to sync 2 zoho crm? what would be the easiest way? I am thinking of Flow. I have a Custom Module that I would like to share with my client. We both use zoho crm. Regards.
Built-in Date Functions in Zoho Analytics Query Tables
I have a doubt about whether Zoho Analytics Query Tables provide built-in functions for start date, end date, and the current month
Introducing Rollup summary in Zoho CRM
------------------------------------------Moderated on 5th July'23---------------------------------------------- Rollup summary is now available for all organizations in all the DCs. Hello All, We hope you're well! We're here with an exciting update that
Enhancements for Currencies in Zoho CRM: Automatic exchange rate updates, options to update record exchange rates, and more
The multi-currency feature helps you track currencies region-wise. This can apply to Sales, CTC, or any other currency-related data. You can record amounts in a customer’s local currency, while the CRM automatically converts them to your home currency
Marketer's Space: Why your open rates suddenly drop to zero?
Hey everyone—welcome back to another post in Marketer's Space! If you regularly track the performance of your campaigns, open rates are probably one of the first numbers you check after sending an email. So it can be quite alarming when a campaign suddenly
CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users
Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage
Bulk upload images and specifications to products
Hi, Many users have asked this over the years and I am also asking the same. Is there any way in which we can bulk upload product (variant) images and product specifications. The current way to upload/select image for every variant is too cumbersome.
Introducing Workqueue: your all-in-one view to manage daily work
Hello all, We’re excited to introduce a major productivity boost to your CRM experience: Workqueue, a dynamic, all-in-one workspace that brings every important sales activity, approval, and follow-up right to your fingertips. What is Workqueue? Sales
Import Quote from CRM into document in Writer?
Hi, I created a quote for a proposal in the Zoho CRM and was wondering if there is a way to embed the quote into a document in Zoho Writer so I can make our sales proposals look a little nicer. Is that possible?
Private email threads
When sending a Private email or receiving a response once the email thread has been marked as 'Private'- is there a way to trigger the system to "restart the clock"? I am finding that when someone responds to a 'Private' thread that it is opening the
SLA Notification
Team members have been receiving this notification and feel as though it is as random. Explanation on this notification is appreciated! Also, is there a way to disable this notification?
I'd like to Import Contacts for an SMS Campaign, but they don't have email addresses.
I've got a contact list of about 4000 contacts. Some only have mobile phone and not email. Can I still import the contacts?
Incoming email replies not automatically associating with Deals/Opportunities - Is this possible in Zoho CRM?
Hello Zoho Community, I'm running a travel agency (B2B and B2C) and we've been struggling with what seems like a basic functionality that we cannot get to work properly. Our use case: We send emails to suppliers (hotels, transportation companies) and
Transaction Rule Matching
Q1. Is there a method to have the Transaction Rules applied across multiple Bank Accounts? Q2. To match "contains" text in Transaction Rules, is a wildcard or regular expression required? Is it case sensitive? Would searching for "issue" in the following
Newby Questions - Vendors, Customers, and Income vs. Other Income Clarifications
Q1. For Deposits, there does not seem to be an option for "Income". "Other Income" is an option however. What is the process to add the option to assign a deposit to type "Income"? Q2. In many cases Vendors and Customer are the same. Vendors may purchase
Newby Questions
Q1. The top bar of Zoho Books has a "Search in Banking (/) " field. What is the proper use of this text box? - Searching for Amazon for example has no results but there are transactions. - Is the search case sensitive? - Are regular expressions allowed?
Duplicate Leads Notification Help!
Hello! I have several web forms that have a duplicate lead notification that are being sent to the creator of the web form. I understand how to change the form entry notification, but I am specifically looking to change the recipient of the "Duplicate Lead" notification. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated! TIA, ~ Jenn
Bulk Associate Tasks/Task Lists to Milestones (Similar to Issues)
Hello Zoho Projects Team, We hope you are doing well. We would like to request an enhancement regarding Milestone management for Tasks in Zoho Projects. Current Behavior: In the Issues module, it is possible to select multiple issues and easily associate
How to see Statement Details Shown in Unclassified Transactions in All Transactions?
All, The list of Unclassified Transactions show the Statement Details and Descriptions. What is the method to see that column in the All Transactions list? -Thanks!
Zoho CRM - Feature Request - Analytics Components Group By Week Alternative Formats
On the Zoho CRM Analytics Components, please consider adding an option to allow group by week format to be changed to other formats such as Week Commencing or Week Ending dates, rather than the current Week Number. This would provide improved usability
Is Zoho Sites still actively being developed?
Hello, Is Zoho Sites still actively being developed as part of the Zoho ecosystem? I noticed that the What's New page (https://www.zoho.com/sites/whats-new.html) does not show any updates since Q1 2025. We were considering migrating our website from Squarespace
Adding new data to the sheet with most recent data being added to top row.
I am using a form that I built from within sheets. When the form is submitted, is it possible to have the data entered in (for example) row 2 (since row 1 is the heading) instead of being added into the next available row which should be hundreds of
Duplicate Leads Concerns with Round Robin and Lead Approval Process
It is great to have the Duplicate Lead Approval Process, there are a few issues with the process that I would greatly appreciate taken consideration in enhancing. It appears that A Lead comes in Lead owner assigned by the Round Robin Check for Duplicate,
need a packing list feature
In our business, goods listed on an invoice are packed in separate boxes and shipped off. for e.g. an invoice may have 10 items. each item could then be packed in different boxes depending on qty of each item. this packing list is as important as the invoice for purposes of shipping documents. Request you to add this feature asap.
Editing Item Group to add Image
I did not have the image of the product when the Item Group was created. Now I have the product image, and would like to associate/add to the Item Group. However the Item Group Edit functionality does not show/allow adding/changing image. Please hel
Zoho CRM Queries Now Support Databases and Cloud Data Sources
Hello everyone! We're thrilled to announce a major enhancement to the Queries feature in Zoho CRM! Queries now support a broader range of external data sources, allowing you to fetch live data and combine it with CRM records, all using a unified query
Map: Output None
Hi, Checking if you help me inspect this block The code below triggers during Successful form Submission from another Form. // rec_a = formA[ID!=0]; rec_b = formB[ID!=0]; ListA = List(); //subformA for each recA in rec_a.ItemSubform { for each recB in
Re: Application Architecture in Zoho Creator — A Platform-Specific Deep Dive
A recent community post on application architecture made some excellent points about planning architecture early in Zoho Creator projects. The core message is right — Creator applications have a habit of growing organically into maintenance nightmares,
Files Uploaded to Zoho WorkDrive Not Being Indexed by Search Engines
Hello, I have noticed that the files I upload to Zoho WorkDrive are not being indexed by search engines, including Google. I’d like to understand why this might be happening and what steps I can take to resolve it. Here are the details of my issue: File
Next Page