Date/time picker element

Experience level

This core reference entry is suited for beginner-level builders.

Learn more about experience levels.

In-depth articles (12)

To learn about this topic more in-depth, we recommend reading the suggested articles below:

Input forms

• Article: Input forms

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Other element categories In this article series, we cover how to work with different element types:

• Article series: Elements

  • Article series: The element hierarchy

  • Article: The page

  • Article series: Container elements

    Elements that contain other elements.

  • Article: Visual elements

    Elements like text, buttons, icons and images.

• Article: Conditional expressions

  Making your elements change appearance in response to varying conditions.

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The design tab In this article we cover the different tools available in the design tab.

• Article: ´The design tab

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Workflows

Workflows are used to connect elements with actions, such as saving the value of a text input element or uploading a file.

• Article series: Workflows

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Design

Article series focusing on design in general, explaining terminology and offering resources to help you set up a user-friendly, good looking design.

• Article series: Design

  • Article: Responsive design Building pages that work on all devices, such as a laptop and a phone.

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Previewing your app

In this section about how to preview your app in the development environment.

• Article: Previewing your app

Videos (5)

Bubble Academy: How to Use The Input Element Bubble Academy: How to Use The Mulitline Input Element Bubble Academy: How to Use the Slider Input Bubble Academy: Element videos (list of videos related to elements)

Connecting elements to workflows

Bubble Academy: How to Trigger Workflows From Input Changes

Allows users to select a date, a time, or both. The element appears as an input field -- or two fields if both date and time are enabled. When the date field is focused, a calendar opens for the user to pick a date. If time selection is enabled, the time is entered in the second field.

Visual

Content

Input type

Sets which value the element should collect. Date shows a single input with a calendar picker. Date and time shows two inputs -- one for the date (picked from a calendar) and one for the time (typed into a field).

When you save only a date, the time is set to 12:00 AM (midnight) in the database, based on the user's time zone.

Because Bubble stores dates in Unix format, every value always includes both a date and a time, even if time selection is disabled in the input element. You can read more about how Bubble handles dates and time in Time, dates and time zones. We also explain this in more detail in the FAQ below.

Auto-binding automatically updates a thing as the user modifies the input element, without requiring a workflow. Enable this option to bind the input element directly to a field on a thing. For auto-binding to work:

• The input element must be inside a group or page with a defined Type of content

• The parent group's (or page's) thing is the record that will be modified

• The relevant data type must have the correct edit permissions configured in the Privacy section of the Data tab

If privacy rules don't allow the change, the update won't be applied, and the user will see an error message. You can edit the error message

This property offers the following options:

• Off: Auto-binding is disabled.

• On: Auto-binding is enabled. Setting it to On reveals two additional properties:

  • Field to modify: The field on the parent element's data type that you want to modify.

  • Alert on success: A customized alert message displayed when the data is successfully saved. For this to work, you need at least one alert element on the page.

Initial content

Sets the default date/time.

Size

Sets the width and height of the element. These properties depend on the layout configuration of the parent element.

Height

Sets the width/height of the element. The column, row and align layouts have a more flexible way to set element position.

Type	Description	Options
Fixed	Sets the width of the element as a fixed value.	Pixels: sets the width to a fixed pixel value Percentage: sets the width to a percentage of the parent container
Fit	The element’s width and height automatically adjust based on the size of its child elements. To add a mininum and/or maximum value, click the + symbol.	Min: the minimum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the parent container. Max: the maximum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the container.
Fill	The element's width and height fills the available space in the parent container. To add a mininum and/or maximum value, click the + symbol.	Min: the minimum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the parent container. Max: the maximum width/height, defined as a pixel value or percentage of the container.

Parent container has a fixed layout

Width/height

Sets the widht/height of the element. The fixed layout has a more rigid way of setting element size, based on static pixel values.

Type	Description
Fixed	Sets the width of an element as a fixed pixel value.

Layout

Position

Parent layout: Column

In a column layout, a child element's property is restricted to the vertical axis.

Alignment	Description
Left	Elements are aligned to the left edge.
Center	Elements are aligned to the vertical center of the container.
Right	Elements are aligned to the right edge.

Parent layout: Row

In a row layout, a child element's alignment property is restricted to the horizontal axis.

Alignment	Description
Top	Elements are aligned to the top edge of the container
Center	Elements are aligned to the horizontal center of the container.
Bottom	Elements are aligned to the bottom edge of the container.

Parent layout: Align

In an align layout, a child element's property is restricted to one of nine cells in a 3x3 grid. Any element placed within the same cell will overlap.

Alignment	Description
Top-left	Elements are aligned to the top-left corner of the container.
Top-center	Elements are aligned to the top edge and horizontally centered within the container.
Top-right	Elements are aligned to the top-right corner of the container.
Center-left	Elements are vertically centered and aligned to the left edge of the container.
Center	Elements are vertically and horizontally centered within the container.
Center-right	Elements are vertically centered and aligned to the right edge of the container.
Bottom-left	Elements are aligned to the bottom-left corner of the container.
Bottom-center	Elements are aligned to the bottom edge and horizontally centered within the container.
Bottom-right	Elements are aligned to the bottom-right corner of the container.

Parent layout: Fixed

Elements are positioned using fixed X and Y coordinates, defined in pixels.

Order

Sets the order of the element in the element tree hierarchy.

• Make first: Moves the element to the top of the hierarchy within its container

• Move up: Moves the element one position higher

• Move down: Moves the element one position lower

• Make last: Moves the element to the bottom of the hierarchy within its container

Spacing

Padding

Defines the internal spacing between an element’s content and its border in a static pixel value. Padding adds space inside the element, without affecting its position relative to other elements.

Padding is added on the vertical and horizontal axis respectively.

Margin

Defines the external spacing between an element and surrounding elements.

Margin adds space outside the element’s border. It affects the distance between elements and influences layout positioning.

Configure

Date format

Sets how the date appears in the input field. This affects display only, not how the value is stored. Selecting Custom reveals an additional property:

• Custom format: lets you display the date and time using a custom format. See the custom date formatting guide below for instructions.

Custom date formatting

The date/time picker supports custom date and time formats using tokens -- short letter combinations that represent parts of a date or time. Combine tokens to create your desired format.

For example:

• MM/DD/YYYY → 04/27/2026

• DD/MM/YYYY → 27/04/2026

• MMMM D, YYYY → April 27, 2026

• HH:mm → 17:30

• hh:mm A → 05:30 PM

Common format tokens

Token	Description	Example
YYYY	Four-digit year	2026
MM	Month with leading zero	04
M	Month without leading zero	4
DD	Day with leading zero	09
D	Day without leading zero	9
HH	24-hour format (00-23)	17
hh	12-hour format (01-12)	05
mm	Minutes	30
A	AM/PM	PM

Start week

Defines whether the calendar starts on Sunday or Monday.

Date constraints

Restricts which dates can be selected by setting a start date and end date.

Dropdown for month/year

Adds dropdown menus to quickly select a different month or year in the calendar.

Time format

Sets how time is displayed: 24-hour or 12-hour am/pm.

Time interval

Defines the step between selectable times in minutes (for example, 30-minute increments).

Time constraints

Restricts which times can be entered by setting minimum and/or maximum limits.

Style

Style sets the visual design of the element, including properties such as colors, fonts, borders, shadows and other appearance settings.

Styles are shared across elements. When multiple elements use the same style, updating the style will automatically update all elements that reference it.

Style selector

Select the style to apply to the selected element.

Edit style

To edit the style, click the edit style icon. The changes to that style will apply to all elements using that style.

Detach style

Detaching the style will disconnect the element from the current style, but keep the formatting of the style until you make changes to it. This only affects the selected element.

Overriden styles

You can override a style on one or more elements, using the defined style properties but allowing you to make individual changes to styling properties that apply only to the selected element(s).

Overridden styles will be marked with an Overridden labelI.

You can reset the selected element's style by clicking the Reset icon.

Appearance

Opacity

Opacity sets the transparency level of the selected element(s). At 100%, the element is fully opaque. At 0%, it is fully transparent (invisible).

• Opacity affects child elements: If applied to a container, all child elements inherit the same opacity level.

• Opacity does not collapse the element: Even at 0%, the element still occupies space in the layout. Unlike hiding an element (using This element is visible on page load, a conditional visibility rule, or a hide/show action), opacity does not reduce the element’s width or height to zero.

Radius

Sets the roundness of the selected element(s).

How radius is calculated

The value is applied in pixels and determines the radius of the corner’s arc. Larger values create more rounded corners.

The maximum visible roundness depends on the element’s size. If the radius is set to a value greater than half of the element’s width or height, the browser automatically caps it at half of the smallest dimension. For example:

• A square (100 × 100 px) with a radius of 50 px becomes a circle.

• A rectangle (200 × 100 px) with a radius of 50 px becomes a pill shape.

• Setting a radius larger than 50 px in the second example will not increase the curvature further, because 50 px is already half of the element’s height.

Individual radius

To set an individual radius of each of the four corners, click the Individual radius icon.

Border

The border defines the outline of the selected element.

It is drawn around the element’s content and padding. Increasing the border width increases the total visible size of the element unless the layout system compensates for it.

Borders sit outside the padding but inside the margin. Padding adds space between the content and the border, while margin adds space outside the border, affecting the distance to neighboring elements.

Border types

Note: some of these border types require a width of more than 1 pixel to make a visible difference.

Border type	Description
None	No border is displayed.
Solid	A single continuous line.
Dotted	A series of round dots forming the border line.
Dashed	A series of short line segments forming the border.
Double	Two parallel solid lines. The total border width is divided between the two lines and the space between them.
Groove	A carved effect that makes the border appear pressed into the page, using light and dark shading.
Ridge	The opposite of groove; creates a raised effect using light and dark shading.
Inset	Makes the element appear embedded into the page, with shading that simulates depth inward.
Outset	Makes the element appear raised from the page, with shading that simulates depth outward.

Border width

Sets the width of the border, defined by a pixel value.

Border color

Sets the color of the border in a hex value. You can also set the opacity of the border. Can be a static or the result of a dynamic expression.

Individual borders

To set individual border properties on the top, bottom, left and right, clitk the individual border icon.

Background

Sets the background of the selected element(s) as a color, gradient or image.

Color

Sets the background color in a hex value. You can also set the opacity of the border. Can be a static or the result of a dynamic expression.

Gradient

Sets a gradient color, ranging from a start color and an end color, with an optional mid color.

Linear gradient

A linear gradient is a background effect where colors transition gradually along a straight line.

The gradient follows a defined direction (for example, top to bottom, left to right, or at a specific angle). Instead of a single solid color, the element displays a smooth blend between two or more colors across that line.

Starting point	Description
Top	The gradient begins at the top and transitions downward.
Left	The gradient begins on the left side and transitions horizontally to the right.
Bottom	The gradient begins at the bottom and transitions upward.
Right	The gradient begins on the right side and transitions horizontally to the left.
Custom	Allows you to define a specific angle for the gradient direction.

Radial gradient

A radial gradient is a background effect where colors transition outward from a central point.

Instead of following a straight line (like a linear gradient), the color spreads in a circular or elliptical shape from the center to the edges.

Radial gradient types

Type	Description
Circle	The gradient expands evenly in all directions from the center, forming a perfect circle.
Ellipse	The gradient expands in an oval shape, stretching more in one direction based on the element’s width and height.

Radial gradient expansion

Define how far the radial gradient extends from its center point.

They control which edge or corner of the element determines the gradient’s final size, affecting how quickly the color transition spreads across the element.

Option	Description
Closest side	The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the nearest side of the element.
Closest corner	The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the nearest corner of the element.
Farthest side	The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the farthest side of the element.
Farthest corner	The gradient expands from the center until it reaches the farthest corner of the element.

Stops

Sets the start and end point of the radial gradient. By default, it has a Start and End. Optionally, you can add an intermediate point by clicking the + symbol next to Stops.

Image

Sets an image as the element's background. The image can be a static file uploaded directly in the editor, or the result of a dynamic expression.

Upload

Upload a static image file to use as the background.

Generating an image with AI

You can generate images with AI. Type in a prompt and select a size, quality, and style. The Auto setting lets the AI choose based on your prompt. The number of tokens used depends on your selections.

Check Generate Alt tags to automatically generate an Alt text.

Make dynamic

Click the + icon to define a dynamic expression that returns the image to use as the background.

Text

Sets the typography of the selected element(s). Only applies to elements that contain text.

Font

Sets the font family used for the text. You can choose a custom font or use a saved font variable.

Font weight

Sets the thickness of the text. Lower values (for example, 400) are lighter, while higher values (for example, 600 or 700) appear bolder.

Understanding font weight

Font weight is not calculated mathematically. It’s defined by the font itself.

Most modern fonts use a numeric weight scale from 100 to 900:

• 100–300: lighter weights

• 400: regular (normal)

• 500–600: medium / semi-bold

• 700: bold

• 800–900: extra bold / black

However, available weights differ between fonts. One font might include 400, 600, and 700, while another only includes 400 and 700. A weight of 700 in one font is also not guaranteed to look the same as 700 in another font.

The numeric scale (100–900) is standardized in CSS, but each font designer defines how thick “700” actually appears within that typeface.

Font size

Defines the size of the text in pixels.

Text alignment

Controls how text is aligned within the element: left, center, or right.

Text formatting

Applies inline formatting options such as bold, italic, and underline. Click the More properties icon for more formatting options.

Additional text properties

Word spacing

Defines the horizontal space between words. Increasing the value spreads words further apart; decreasing it brings them closer together.

Line spacing

Controls the vertical distance between lines of text (line height). Higher values improve readability for longer text blocks, while lower values create a more compact layout.

Letter spacing

Adjusts the horizontal space between individual characters. Positive values increase spacing (tracking), while negative values tighten the text.

Text alignment (vertical)

Controls how text is aligned vertically within its container (for example, aligned to the top or bottom when vertical alignment is enabled).

Text shadow

Adds a shadow effect behind the text. You can configure properties such as offset, blur, and color to create depth or improve contrast against the background.

Text color

Sets the color of the text. You can select a custom color or use a saved color variable.

Shadow

Adds an outside or inside shadow to the selected element(s).

Shadow type

Defines whether the shadow appears outside or inside the element.

• Outside: creates a drop shadow around the element.

• Inside: creates an inner shadow within the element’s boundaries.

Position (X / Y)

Sets the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) offset of the shadow in pixels.

• Positive X moves the shadow to the right; negative X moves it to the left.

• Positive Y moves the shadow downward; negative Y moves it upward.

Blur

Controls how soft the shadow appears. Higher values create a more diffused shadow; lower values produce a sharper edge.

Spread

Defines how much the shadow expands or contracts before blur is applied. Positive values increase the shadow’s size; negative values reduce it.

Color

Sets the shadow’s color and opacity. You can define a custom color (for example, a hex value) and adjust its transparency percentage.

Interaction

Options

Visibility

Visible on page load

Enable this to make the element visible by default. This checkbox makes the element visible every time the page loads or reloads. Change the visibility of the element based on certain conditions in the Conditional section in the property editor or with a show/hide element action in a workflow.

Collapse when hidden

Enable this to make the element collapse its height and width to 0 pixels when hidden. This allows surrounding elements to automatically shift into the freed space, preventing empty gaps in the layout.

This is commonly used in single-page applications, where elements are shown and hidden dynamically as users navigate, without leaving the page.

Make required

When enabled, the user can't trigger any workflows tied to the date/time picker if its value is empty.

Make disabled

Disables the date/time picker so the user can't interact with it.

Disabling an element is a UI setting and doesn't securely prevent data changes. Always enforce restrictions with server-side conditions and privacy rules in the Data tab.

Transitions

Transitions add animation when a style property changes.

Instead of updating instantly, the element gradually shifts from its previous state to the new one over a defined duration. For example, if you reduce an element’s width, a transition can make it smoothly shrink rather than change size immediately.

Transition styles

Transition style	Description
ease	Starts slowly, speeds up in the middle, and slows down at the end.
ease-in	Starts slowly and accelerates toward the end.
ease-out	Starts quickly and decelerates toward the end.
ease-in-out	Starts slowly, accelerates in the middle, and slows down again at the end.
linear	Moves at a constant speed from start to finish.
step-start	Jumps immediately to the end state at the start of the transition.
step-end	Remains in the start state and jumps to the end state at the very end of the transition.

Transition duration

Transition duration defines how long the transition animation runs, measured in milliseconds.

Workflows

Shows the workflows connected to the selected element. Click the + symbol to create a new workflow associated with that element. The list of available events differs based on which element is selected.

Shortcut: To quickly add a workflow to a selected element, press Cmd+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows. The shortcut defaults to the most likely event for that element type.

Time zone selection

This property requires that you check the Enable timezone override controls and Date-time inputs (Date-Time Picker and Input) checkboxes under Settings – General.

Determines which time zone the date/time picker uses. By default, it uses the user's local time zone as defined by their browser. Switching to Static choice reveals an additional property:

• Time zone ID: lets you select a specific time zone from the full list of global time zones.

You can also define the time zone at the page level. Enable Timezone override on the page, then check the Page option to set a specific time zone ID. When configured, all date/time elements on the page use the same time zone, ensuring consistent display and behavior.

FAQ

How do I access the selected date?

Use Date/time picker's value, which returns a date object that can be formatted using date operators.

How does Bubble store and display date/time values?

Bubble stores all dates internally in UTC. When a date is displayed, Bubble automatically converts it to the current user's time zone based on their browser settings. This means the same stored value can appear differently for users in different time zones, while the underlying database value stays consistent.

You can read more about how Bubble handles dates and time in Time, dates and time zones.

Why does a saved date show a different date on another device?

When you save only a date, Bubble sets the time to 12:00 AM (midnight) in the user's time zone. Internally, Bubble stores all dates as a full date-time value in UTC (Unix format), which always includes both a date and a time, even if time selection is disabled in the input element. So while saving a date feels like:

1/1/20XX

it's actually:

1/1/20xx 00:00:00

If the same value appears as a different date on another device, it's usually due to a time zone difference. Because the stored time is midnight, even a one-hour offset can shift the displayed date. If you're saving a datetime in London, you may be storing:

1/1/20xx 00:00:00 (midnight/GMT/UTC)

But looking at this datetime in São Paulo, it returns:

12/31/20xx 21:00:00 (9 pm/UTC-3)

This behavior is useful in shared scheduling scenarios, such as booking a meeting, where each user sees the date and time adjusted to their own time zone. In other cases -- such as booking an event with a fixed local time like a concert -- you may want the date and time to always display in a specific time zone, regardless of where the viewer is located. To override time zones, use Enable timezone override controls in Settings – General. This lets you set a custom time zone on date-time inputs, the page, and backend workflows.

How do I customize how the date/time is formatted?

See the custom date formatting guide.