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
NOTAS INVISIBLES
Siempre que abro mis notas salen invisibles, muchas no resaltan las *negritas* en la vista previa hasta que te metes en ellas y modificas algo. Pero omg con el equipo de Zoho. Les dije que las usaba mucho precisamente por la VISTA PREVIA y encontrar las
Does Zoho has chatroom/chatbot url feature?
Hi Zoho community! I’m looking for a quick "Yes/No" answer for my dev team regarding Zoho’s capabilities. We currently use Zoho Desk for our Service Team and Zoho CRM for our Marketing Team to bring both functions under one platform. Our question: Does
One Support Email Managed By Multiple Departments
Hello, We use one support email (support@company.com). Incoming emails come to the "Support Department" and based on what the customer is asking, we route that ticket to different departments (billing, technical support, etc.). When users in these different
What's New in Zoho Analytics - February 2026
Hello Users! We're back with another round of updates for Zoho Analytics. This month's release focuses on giving you greater flexibility in how you visualize, manage, and act on your data - with new features like custom visualizations, remote MCP server,
Is it Possible to Modify Standard Report Urls
Is there a way to permanently modify standard report Urls? Use case: Suppose I have a Products report. Showing list as timeline, calendar, or kanban doesn't make sense. Want to hide that from users by adding #Report:Products?zc_ShowAs=false&zc_Print=false
Updated font library: New font styles and custom font options in Zoho Sheet
Zoho Sheet's font library now supports 500+ font styles in 60+ languages! The updated font library is stacked with new font styles, and some of the previously available font styles have been replaced with equivalent options. There are two ways you can
scope for phonebridge in CRM and phonebridge API documentation
Hi I cannot find the scope to be used for phonebridge in CRM API V2 calls. I am getting OAUTH_SCOPE_MISMATCH for scope group ZohoCRM.modules.ALL,ZohoCRM.setttings.ALL Also I am not able to locate the documentation for the same, All I have is phonebridge
Does Zoho Mail Have Popout windows?
I recently switched my work email over to Zoho and everything I read said that you can popout the draft email as you're writing, however, all the pictures or info I've seen show the typical popout arrow in the top right, which I can not for the life of
This domain is not allowed to add in Zoho. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details
Job Alerts for Candidates
hi All, I have 2 questions relating to sharing job details with candidates. 1. is there a way to notify candidates that meet certain criteria of current jobs available? eg. I run a candidate search, and identify 50 candidates that might be suitable. Can
Zoho Wiki or new Zoho Learn
We are currently evaluating if we should move off confluence. At present in Confluence we have multiple levels within our documentation but with learn it looks like you can only have Space - Manual - Chapter Is it possible to have levels below Chapter? Also the same question for the existing wiki, can I have more sub-levels?
Fix image at bottom of a page fot automatic proposal creation
I'm working on a proposal document to automate our proposal creation process. So far it works fine, but I experience some problems with an image I want to have fixed at the bottom of the page AND above the footer. This section of the document consists
Can't scroll the page down unless I refresh the page
Hello, This issue has been going on with me and a lot of other users in my organization, we can't scroll down! the scrolling side bar doesn't appear and scrolling down through mouse or keyboard keys doesn't work, it seems that the page just ends in the
Price List
II want to restrict the items to display in sales, quote, etc for which custom rates are added in price list. How I can do the same in Zoho books
Let’s Talk Recruit: Still switching tabs to source?
Welcome back to the Let’s Talk Recruit series. Let’s talk about how you actually source talent. Do you open multiple job boards every single time a role opens? Run the same keyword searches you ran yesterday? Download, upload, rename, and then do it again
Kaizen #231 - Embedding Zoho Desk Tickets in Zoho CRM
Hello, CRM Wizards! This week, let us enhance cross-team visibility between Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk. We will use the Zoho Request Client inside a Related List widget to display open Zoho Desk tickets directly within the Contact record in Zoho CRM. This
Introducing a smarter, faster, and more flexible charting experience
Hello Zoho Sheet users, We're delighted to share the latest news about a major update to charts in Zoho Sheet! The new version supports dynamic data ranges, granular styling options, faster loading, and other interesting enhancements that allow you to
Introducing Job Alerts
Keeping candidates engaged beyond their first application is one of the most consistent hiring challenges. Many interested candidates simply do not revisit career sites regularly, which can result in missed opportunities and reduced re-applications. To
Task status - completed - other options
I have a dumb question I know i can make custom statuses for the tasks - but is there anyway to make additional "completed" statuses like for instance if i have a task "call back customer" and i leave a vm for them to call back marking it "completed -
Bank feed integration First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to Zoho? (UAE)
Hello everyone, Is First Abu Dhabi Bank in the list of banks available for bank feed integration with Zoho Books? Thank you.
How to Export Filtered List of Contacts?
This seems like it should be simple, but I'm stymied. I'm trying to export a filtered list of my Contacts for analysis in a spreadsheet. The use case is that I'm an ecom business based in the US. The bulk of our customers are individuals stored as Contacts.
Quick Create needs Client Script support
As per the title. We need client scripts to apply at a Quick Create level. We enforce logic on the form to ensure data quality, automate field values, etc. However, all this is lost when a user attempts a "Quick Create". It is disappointing because, from
can we add product images in Zoho CRM Quote PDF template?
I want to create a quotation format in Zoho CRM similar to the attached PDF, where each product is displayed in a table with rpoduct image I need the product image to appear inside the line items section of the quote. However, while checking the Quote
Does Zoho Writer have Dropdowns
I want to add a drop down field in Zoho writer. Is this possible?
Facturation électronique 2026 - obligation dès le 1er septembre 2026
Bonjour, Je me permets de réagir à divers posts publiés ici et là concernant le projet de E-Invoicing, dans le cadre de la facturation électronique prévue très prochainement. Dans le cadre du passage à la facturation électronique pour les entreprises,
Connecting Multiple WooCommerce Stores to a Single Zoho Marketing Automation Account
Is it possible to connect multiple WooCommerce stores to a single Zoho Marketing Automation account?
Service Title in Service Report Template Builder
I am currently working on the Service Report Template Builder in Zoho FSM. I have created three separate service report templates for different workflows: Preventive Maintenance Report Requested Service Report Installation Report My issue is that I cannot
Update: New Security Admin Role
Hello Zoho Directory Admins! This post is to highlight the recent role and permission changes introduced as part of the security enhancements. Previously, Helpdesk Admins had the security permissions and were responsible for managing the security configurations
Client Script | Update #14 - Client Script Support for Quick Create
Hello Everyone! We are back with another exciting and highly awaited update in Client Script! Over the past months, many of you shared your insights and requests, asking for the power to extend Client Script functionality to Quick Create forms. This capability
I'd like to suggest a feature enhancement for SalesIQ that would greatly improve the user experience across different channels.
Hello Zoho Team, Current Limitation: When I enable the pre-chat form under Brands > Flow Controls to collect the visitor’s name and email, it gets applied globally across all channels, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. This doesn't quite align
The Social Playbook - February edition: Why moment marketing works (and how brands use it)
Imagine the final season of your favorite series is about to drop. Your entire feed is talking about it. Trailers everywhere. Fan theories. Hype at 100%. Now your go-to burger place launches a limited-edition meal box themed around that series—custom
PDF Attachment Option for Service Reports
Hello Team, I would like to check with you all if there is an option to attach PDF documents to the service reports. When I try to attach a file, the system only allows the following formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. Could you please confirm whether PDF attachments
Cliq Bots - Post message to a bot using the command line!
If you had read our post on how to post a message to a channel in a simple one-line command, then this sure is a piece of cake for you guys! For those of you, who are reading this for the first time, don't worry! Just read on. This post is all about how
【Zoho CRM】営業日のロジックに関するアップデート
ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの中野です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、営業日のロジックに関するアップデートをご紹介します。 本アップデートにより、ワークフローにおける営業日の計算方法が改善されました。 週末などの非営業日にワークフローのトリガーが発生した場合でも、 「+0」「+1」「+2 営業日」といった設定が、意図どおりに正確に動作するようになりました。 営業日に基づくワークフローでは、日付項目を基準に「何営業日後に処理を実行するか」を指定します。
Merged cells are unmerging automatically
Hello, I have been using Zoho sheets from last 1 year. But from last week facing a issue in merged cells. While editing all merged cells in a sheet became unmerged. I merged it again, but it again unmerged. In my half an hour work I have to do this 3-4
Introducing Built-in Telephony in Zoho Recruit
We’re excited to introduce Built-in Telephony in Zoho Recruit, designed to make recruiter–candidate communication faster, simpler, and fully traceable. These capabilities help you reduce app switching, handle inbound calls efficiently, and keep every
Just want email and office for personal use
I am unclear as how to how I would have just a personal email (already do have it and love it) and get to use docs, notebook, workdrive etc. In other words mostly everything I had a google. I find gocs can be free with 5gb and so can mail with 5gb. Are
Unable to change the "credentials of login user" option when creating a connection
I want to create a new Desk connection where the parameter to use 'credentials of login user' is set to YES. I'm able to create a new connection but am never given the option to change this parameter. Is this a restriction of my user profile, and if so,
Show backordered items on packing slip
Is it possible to show a column on the Packing Slip that shows number of backordered items when a PO is only partially filled? I would also like to see the Backordered column appear on POs after you receive items if you didn't get ALL of the items or partial amounts of items. And lastly, it would be nice to have the option of turning on the Backordered column for invoices if you only invoice for a partial order. -Tom
Zoho Sheet for Desktop
Does Zoho plans to develop a Desktop version of Sheet that installs on the computer like was done with Writer?
Next Page