AmpScript Now and GetSendTime Functions

The below post is a dump of some notes I have stored on my computer and refer to every now and then. Sharing in case it’s useful to others.

Review what Now() and GetSendTime() return in different situations

Now Function

• Now() is in Central Standard Time (CST) without daylight saving time.
• The default value is false : Now() → Now(0)

Now(0)

• List, DE, or Manual send: gives current system Date /Time.
• Triggered or Journey send: gives current system Date /Time.
• 0 = false= do not preserve email sent time. So, if a user opens the email again or views it as a webpage it will get updated.

Now(1)

• List, DE, or Manual send: Date/Time the send started.
• Triggered or Journey Send: Date/Time the TSD (Triggered Send Definition) was last published.
• 1 = true= Preserve email sent time for post-send resolution. So, if a user opens the email again or views it as a webpage it won’t get updated since it has been preserved.

Now(0) vs Now(1) Comparison with a DE Send

Now(0)
Open 1: 8/30/2022 9:12:33 PM
Open 2: 8/30/2022 9:41:59 PM

Now(1)
Open 1: 8/30/2022 9:12:33 PM
Open 2: 8/30/2022 9:13:00 PM

GetSendTime Function

• GetSendTime is in Central Standard Time (CST) without daylight saving time.
• Boolean variable determines whether to show the same send time for all subscribers in a job. A value of 1 returns the job start time or the publish time of a triggered send or journey.

GetSendTime(0)

• List, DE, or Manual send: Date/Time the send completed for the individual subscriber.
• Triggered or Journey send: Date/Time the send completed for the individual subscriber.

GetSendTime(1)

• List, DE, or Manual send: Date/Time the send started.
• Triggered or Journey Send: Date/Time the send is published.

Notice that GetSendTime(1) gives you the same result as Now(1).