Get Today Date In Google Apps Script

When working with Google Apps Script, it's often essential to know how to retrieve the current date. This information can be handy for various tasks, from timestamping data to scheduling automated actions. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to get the current date in Google Apps Script so you can utilize it in your projects effectively.

One simple method to get the current date in Google Apps Script is by using the built-in `Date` object. The `Date` object in JavaScript allows us to work with dates and times easily. To retrieve the current date, you can create a new `Date` object without passing any arguments. Here's an example code snippet to get the current date in Google Apps Script:

function getCurrentDate() {
  var currentDate = new Date();
  
  Logger.log(currentDate);
}

In this code snippet, the `getCurrentDate` function creates a new `Date` object called `currentDate`, which automatically initializes with the current date and time. The `Logger.log` function is then used to output this date to the Apps Script logger for testing and debugging purposes.

You can run this script within your Google Apps Script project by accessing the Apps Script editor, pasting the code, and executing the `getCurrentDate` function. The logger will display the current date in the format: `Tue Jul 20 2023 15:31:42 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)`.

If you need to format the current date in a specific way, you can use the `Utilities.formatDate` method available in Google Apps Script. This method allows you to customize the date and time output based on your requirements. Here's an updated code snippet that formats the current date in a specific date-time pattern:

function getCurrentFormattedDate() {
  var currentDate = new Date();
  var formattedDate = Utilities.formatDate(currentDate, Session.getScriptTimeZone(), "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss");
  
  Logger.log(formattedDate);
}

In this revised code snippet, the `getCurrentFormattedDate` function retrieves the current date using the `Date` object and then formats it using `Utilities.formatDate`. The pattern `"yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss"` specifies the desired format for the date and time, which in this case is `2023-07-20 15:31:42`.

By using the `Utilities.formatDate` method, you have the flexibility to display the current date in various formats to suit your project's needs. You can experiment with different date and time patterns to achieve the desired output.

In conclusion, retrieving the current date in Google Apps Script is straightforward with the `Date` object and the `Utilities.formatDate` method. Incorporating the current date into your scripts can enhance the functionality and usefulness of your Google Apps Script projects. Give it a try in your next project and see how easily you can work with dates in Google Apps Script!