# Now

| **Name**    | ***Now***                                            |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Syntax      | Now()                                                |
| Purpose     | To return the current date and time on the computer. |
| Description | Gets the current system date and time.               |
| Return Type | Date Time                                            |
| Parameter   | -                                                    |

![](https://3083465318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsR50Wa7EwZGlmPSAMkkf%2Fuploads%2FkR70Gt6gdCvKHbqD34My%2F0.png?alt=media)

**Example**

In this example, we will drag-and-drop the *Now* function transformation object to the *dataflow designer* window.

![](https://3083465318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsR50Wa7EwZGlmPSAMkkf%2Fuploads%2FVqHdEKfCkHmiIlt4VZ8Q%2F1.png?alt=media)

Right-click on the function transformation object and select *Preview Output.* You can see that Astera has returned the current system date time value.

![](https://3083465318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsR50Wa7EwZGlmPSAMkkf%2Fuploads%2FZe7lm9qbQlEqIBrBoXEk%2F2.png?alt=media)