Generating a Random Number in the Builder

If your process requires a unique Submission ID at the start of the Submission instead of at the end when the Submission ID is generated, multiplying a date and time field is an easy workaround.

Random Number Generation

Creating a unique number generator takes only three fields and a few easy steps.

Configure the Fields

1. Select + Add Field in the center workspace, type "Hidden Date," and enter to add a Date field using Smart Fields.
2. The cursor will move to the next field where you can type "Hidden Time" and enter to add a Time field.
3. For the last field, type "Calculation" and enter. We'll change the name of the field in a moment.
4. Select the gear icon associated with the date field to open Field Settings, switch to the More tab, and toggle Mobile Visible off. Select Done to save changes and close the modal.
5. Select the gear icon associated with the time field, change the Style to HH:MM:SS, and leave the Default Value as "Current Time."
6. Switch to the More tab, and toggle Mobile Visible off. Select Done to save changes and close the modal.
7. Select + Add Calculation to open Field Settings. In the upper left corner of the modal, change the field name to something identifiable, like "Unique Number Generator" or "Submission Number." 
8. Expand the first Value drop down and select "Hidden Date," expand the second Value drop down and select "Hidden Time," and click the addition sign to expand the functions list and select multiplication. Leave the Format as a number with no decimal places. Select Done to save changes and close the modal.

How it Looks

Once you Save and Publish, the result on mobile will look like this:

How it Works

The number generated isn't truly random; it is always going to be a product of the date and time, converted into an integral numeric string. While it is technically possible for the number to duplicate between different users, they would have to generate the number within the same second and date to have an identical number.

Pair with Dispatch and Workflow

If this number needs to be received by the office admin before the job, one way to do this is to use Dispatch and Workflow. The dispatcher in the office can generate a submission, dispatch it to themselves, check their device to get the number, and workflow it to the person who will be completing the job. If you are using Bulk Dispatch, remember to make sure the time is different for every submission to truly generate a unique number for each submission.