# 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://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/0%20\(108\).png)

**Example**

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

![](https://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/1%20\(109\).png)

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://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/2%20\(109\).png)