Convert a date to a number

Hi ​@megan.clawson ,

Have you considered to use Javascript to check if the input is between the period, then set an embedded data, which can be later used to display the remaining blocks of question?

Hope the information below helps your case.

Note:

- Code below is a generated response from Copilot with some small tweaks as I am not that knowledgeable in Javascript to create one from scratch.

- I had a number of embedded data set up (Date1start, Date1end, Date2start, Date2end, Date3start, Date3end as 3 time periods in dd/mm/yyyy format and DateRangeStatus as the indicator to check to display remaining block of question).

- you can change status: 1 to status: “Pre-K” and change the condition DateRangeStatus to be equals to “Pre-K” to suit your scenario.

- I am using flat layout.

Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnload(function () {
  // =====================================
  // CONFIG: which Form field holds the date?
  // =====================================
  const FIELD_INDEX = 1; // 1-based index: 1 = first input in the Form question

  // Inclusive ranges → assign statuses
  const ranges = [
    { min: "${e://Field/Date1start}", max: "${e://Field/Date1end}", status: 1 },
    { min: "${e://Field/Date2start}", max: "${e://Field/Date2end}", status: 2 },
    { min: "${e://Field/Date3start}", max: "${e://Field/Date3end}", status: 3 }
  ];

  // Embedded Data field name (must exist in Survey Flow above this block)
  const ED_FIELD = "DateRangeStatus";

  // Optional UX hint (set SHOW_HINT_WHEN_INVALID = true to show format guidance)
  const SHOW_HINT_WHEN_INVALID = true;
  const MSG_FORMAT = "Please enter the date as DD/MM/YYYY (e.g., 01/01/2012).";

  // =====================================
  // HELPERS
  // =====================================
  function parseDMY(dmyStr) {
    if (!dmyStr) return null;
    const s = dmyStr.trim();
    const m = s.match(/^(\d{2})\/(\d{2})\/(\d{4})$/); // DD/MM/YYYY
    if (!m) return null;

    const dd = Number(m[1]), mm = Number(m[2]), yyyy = Number(m[3]);
    const d = new Date(yyyy, mm - 1, dd); // months are 0-based
    // Calendar validity (reject 31/02/2013, etc.)
    if (d.getFullYear() !== yyyy || d.getMonth() !== (mm - 1) || d.getDate() !== dd) return null;
    return new Date(d.getFullYear(), d.getMonth(), d.getDate()); // strip time
  }

  function inRangeInclusive(d, minStr, maxStr) {
    const min = parseDMY(minStr);
    const max = parseDMY(maxStr);
    return !!min && !!max && d >= min && d <= max;
  }

  function computeStatus(dmyStr) {
    const d = parseDMY(dmyStr);
    if (!d) return "";                 // invalid format or impossible date
    for (const r of ranges) {
      if (inRangeInclusive(d, r.min, r.max)) return String(r.status);
    }
    return "0";                        // outside all ranges
  }

  function setED(val) {
    Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.setEmbeddedData(ED_FIELD, val);
  }

  // =====================================
  // Locate the Form field input by index
  // =====================================
  const container = this.getQuestionContainer();
  // Common input types in Form fields: text/date
  const inputs = container.querySelectorAll('input[type="text"], input[type="date"]');
  const dateInput = inputs[FIELD_INDEX - 1] || null;

    if (!dateInput) {
    // Fallback: do nothing if field not found
    console.warn("Date input not found at index", FIELD_INDEX);
    return;
  }

  // =====================================
  // Live write (as respondent types/selects)
  // =====================================
  try {
    dateInput.addEventListener("input", function () {
      const status = computeStatus(dateInput.value);
      setED(status);
    });
    dateInput.addEventListener("change", function () {
      const status = computeStatus(dateInput.value);
      setED(status);
    });
  } catch (e) { /* ignore if events not supported */ }

  // =====================================
  // Authoritative write just before page advances
  // =====================================
  this.addOnPageSubmit(function (page) {
    const raw = dateInput.value;
    const status = computeStatus(raw);
    setED(status);

    if (status === "" && SHOW_HINT_WHEN_INVALID) {
      this.showValidationError(MSG_FORMAT);
      // Uncomment to block submit on invalid format:
       page.preventSubmit();
       try { dateInput.focus(); } catch (e) {}
    } else {
      this.hideValidationError();
    }
  });

  // Safety: write again on unload (quick navigation, auto-advance scenarios)
  this.addOnUnload(function () {
    setED(computeStatus(dateInput.value));
  });
});

Thank you so much for these timely responses. I had tried something similar, but was not having success so I was afraid I was headed down the wrong path. Unfortunately, I am not having any luck with these solutions either. Is there something I am missing? Do I need anything in the Look & Feel Header for the JS?

I am using the new survey experience. This is the survey question:

​@Romanoman As suggested I have added this JS to the survey question (my QID is QID8-1):

This is what is in the survey flow:

In data & analysis, these embedded data fields are empty:

Thanks for your continued help!

Hi,

Your function should be in Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnPageSubmit, not in Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnload

​@vgayraud this did not work either. I do not have OnPageSubmit so I used OnUnload…?

AddOnPageSubmit doesn’t appear by default, but you can add it.

It should look like this: 

Also, be sure that your element is really QID8-1 (it’s not because your question is Q8 that its ID is necessarily “QID8” nor that because your form field is the first to appear visually that it’s “-1”.

Wonderful! Not having it in Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnPageSubmit was the issue. Working perfectly now. Thank you all so very much!!