Replacement values like %inspectiondate% show a date as it is. The {dt} code goes further: it can work out a new date, such as one year after the inspection or seven days from today, and show it in the format you choose.
This is an advanced feature. {dt} isn't in the Insert Replacement Value list, so you type it into the template yourself.
How to add a calculated date
Go to Email > Email Templates and edit the template.
Type the {dt} code into the email body where the date should appear (examples below).
Select Save Template.
Send a test on a real order to check the date.
The parts of the code
The code always starts with {dt followed by a space, and ends with }. Inside, you can use up to three settings, each in straight double quotes:
date: the starting date. Leave it out to start from today's date and time in your office's time zone. To start from the inspection date, use date="%inspectiondate%".
modify: how far to move from the starting date, for example "+1 year", "+7 days", "-2 weeks" or "+3 months".
format: how the date looks (see the table below).
Examples
{dt format="m/d/Y"} shows today's date, for example 10/30/2026.
{dt format="l, F j, Y"} shows today's date in words, for example Friday, October 30, 2026.
{dt date="%inspectiondate%" modify="+1 year" format="F j, Y"} shows the date one year after the inspection, for example a warranty or annual-checkup date.
{dt modify="+7 days" format="F j"} shows the date one week from the day the email is sent.
Format letters
d: day with a leading zero (01 to 31). j: day without a leading zero (1 to 31).
D: short day name (Mon). l (lowercase L): full day name (Monday).
m: month number with a leading zero (01 to 12). n: month number without a leading zero (1 to 12).
M: short month name (Jan). F: full month name (January).
Y: four-digit year (2026). y: two-digit year (26).
g: hour, 12-hour clock (1 to 12). H: hour, 24-hour clock (00 to 23).
i: minutes (00 to 59). A: AM or PM.
Anything else, like slashes, commas and spaces, appears as typed. For example, format="g:i A" shows 2:30 PM.
Good to know
Type the code exactly, with a space after {dt and straight quotes. Curly "smart" quotes pasted from a word processor won't work.
If the code has a mistake, the email may show an error notice instead of your message. Always send a test after adding or changing it.
If you leave out format, the date comes out in a technical format (for example 2026-10-30T14:05:00-05:00), so always include one.
[Editor note: %inspectiondate% is filled in using the office's date format. For offices using a day/month/year format, a date like 04/05/2026 could be read as April 5 instead of May 4. Consider testing on a non-US account before publishing, or adding a note.]
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If you have any questions about this information, please let us know! You can reach us by chat, email at help@inspectionsupport.com, or phone at (800) 700-8112.