Date Parameter | OptimiDoc Server Documentation

The Date parameter lets the operator pick a calendar date at scan time, ideal for business dates such as an invoice date, effective date, or expiry date. Choosing from a calendar guarantees a consistent date format and avoids typing errors.

What It Is

A Date parameter captures a single calendar date chosen by the operator. Unlike the automatic date tokens (which always reflect the moment of scanning), a Date parameter records a date the operator selects — typically a property of the document itself.

How It Renders on the Terminal

The device panel shows a date picker labelled with the parameter's Title. The operator selects a day from the calendar rather than typing it. If Required, a date must be chosen before scanning. If a default is configured, the picker opens on that date.

In the administration form, the default value is chosen with the same calendar control, accompanied by a [TODAY] button and a clear button:

Pick a fixed calendar date to always default to that specific day.
Click [TODAY] to store the special [TODAY] token — the default then resolves to the current date each time the workflow is run.
Leave it empty for no default (the operator picks a date from scratch).

Configuration

The Date type has no type-specific configuration. You set only the standard properties:

Property	Description
Title	The display name shown to the operator, e.g. "Invoice Date".
Key	The internal identifier used in `[key]` placeholders, e.g. `invoice_date`.
Default Value	An optional default: a fixed date, the dynamic `[TODAY]` token, or empty. Can be overridden per workflow.
Required	Whether the operator must select a date before scanning.

Whether the operator can change the date is set per workflow on the Parameters tab.

Using the Value

The selected date is substituted wherever its [key] appears. Referencing a parameter with key invoice_date:

Location	Example	Result
Filename	`Invoice_[invoice_date]`	`Invoice_2026-01-15.pdf`
Folder path	`Archive\[document_date]\`	Organises scans by the chosen date
Metadata	(automatic)	The value is included in PDF metadata and the metadata sidecar

Date Parameter vs Automatic Date Tokens

Do not confuse a Date parameter (a value the operator selects) with the built-in date tokens (the scan timestamp, resolved automatically):

Feature	Date parameter	Automatic date tokens
Value	Date the operator selects	Date/time the scan was created
Operator input	Yes — the operator picks a date	No — resolved automatically
Placeholder	`[invoice_date]` (your key)	`[current_year]`, `[current_month]`, `[current_day]`, `[timestamp]`
Use case	Business date (invoice, expiry)	When the scan happened

Use a Date parameter when the date is a property of the document. Use the automatic tokens (or a [TODAY] default on a Date parameter) when you simply need the scanning date.

Common Use Cases

Use Case	Key	Typical Default
Invoice date	`invoice_date`	`[TODAY]`
Document effective date	`effective_date`	`[TODAY]`
Expiry date	`expiry_date`	(empty)
Receipt date	`receipt_date`	`[TODAY]`

Scan Parameters Reference — Overview of all parameter types and the [key] placeholder syntax
Output Options — Filename patterns and date tokens
Parameters Tab — Attaching parameters to workflows