# Can I force values in script for getting tag timestamp change for every 5 min? **URL:** \ **Category:** Ignition\ **Tags:** scripting, ignition81\ **Created:** [September 17, 2026, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110 "2026-09-17T01:36:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![harshareddy.karumudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@harshareddy.karumudi](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/harshareddy.karumudi)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/1 "2026-09-17T01:36:15Z")
I want to change Tag timestamp value for every 5 min without forcing values ? How to do without force values ? ---
**Author:** ![justinedwards.jle](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/justinedwards.jle/32/37854_2.png) [@justinedwards.jle](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/justinedwards.jle)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/2 "2026-09-17T02:46:50Z")
What do you mean by force values? ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Bingham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Chris\_Bingham](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Chris_Bingham)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/3 "2026-09-17T03:24:00Z")
If you want the timestamp to be 'right now', use an expression tag with a execution mode of FixedRate, and a Execution Rate of 5 minutes. What do you want the value to be while timestamp is changing? Whats your end goal for an updating timestamp? ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/4 "2026-09-17T13:14:13Z")
> [@Chris\_Bingham](#): > > use an expression tag Have you tried that? I just tested to confirm my understanding: The expression tag timestamp will **not** change with execution unless the output of the expression actually changes. The tag actor pipeline discards new values (and their timestamps) that are equal to the current value. The OP's request cannot be satisfied. ---
**Author:** ![Felipe\_CRM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Felipe\_CRM](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Felipe_CRM)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/5 "2026-09-17T13:19:38Z")
> [@pturmel](#): > > The OP's request cannot be satisfied. Which brings us back to: > [@Chris\_Bingham](#): > > Whats your end goal for an updating timestamp? If you give us the end goal maybe there's a different way to still achieve that besides forcing the timestamp to update every 5 minutes. Is this some kind of hearbeat situation where you're trying to make sure the data is still "fresh" and the connection isn't down? ---
**Author:** ![Nol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Nol](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Nol)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/6 "2026-09-17T14:43:10Z")
Do you need an exact time? Because if you just want it to move every 5 min then you could put a tag group set at 5 minute update rate and then an expression tag to get the timestamp. It'll drift slightly and not be exactly 5 min but if you just want it as a heartbeat for updates then that may suffice. ---
**Author:** ![harshareddy.karumudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@harshareddy.karumudi](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/harshareddy.karumudi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/7 "2026-09-18T13:41:20Z")
I created a tag named Event code . When you open branch of a Event code tag , Timestamp value has to update for every 5 min . I forced values to change Event code value for every 5 min , so that timestamp value also updating for 5 min . But historian records fake values by using force values in script. So Ignition does not have feature to update tag timestamp value for every 5 min without changing tag value . If there is a change in tag value only , tag timestamp is updating ? ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/8 "2026-09-18T13:49:58Z")
> [@harshareddy.karumudi](#): > > So Ignition does not have feature to update tag timestamp value for every 5 min without changing tag value Exactly. Ignition cannot do what you want. You will have to satisfy your underlying requirement some other way. Perhaps you just need to use a max time between samples of 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![lrose](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/lrose/32/62724_2.png) [@lrose](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/lrose)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/9 "2026-09-18T13:50:43Z")
Why do you need to update the timestamp without changing the value? I don't understand what your trying to accomplish with this. It feels like an XY problem. I can not think of a reason anyone would want only the timestamp to change. ---
**Author:** ![JordanCClark](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/jordancclark/32/83362_2.png) [@JordanCClark](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/JordanCClark)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/10 "2026-09-18T14:28:33Z")
If you are using a script anyway, and the max time doesn't do what you're looking for: [system.historian.storeDataPoints | Ignition User Manual](https://www.docs.inductiveautomation.com/docs/8.3/appendix/scripting-functions/system-historian/system-historian-storeDataPoints) ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Bingham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Chris\_Bingham](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Chris_Bingham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/11 "2026-09-21T17:47:25Z")
Yes, this method should work as long as **Deadband Mode = Off**. I was able to observe an updating timestamp (fixed rate = 10s) without a changing value. I tested with both a static expression (`5`), and one referencing another tag which was **not** changing (`{[System]Gateway/Alarming/Active and Acked}`). Here is a basic "Copy JSON" tag configuration that worked for me on 8.3.7: > **Tag w/ Updating Timestamp** > > ```python > { > "deadbandMode": "Off", > "executionMode": "FixedRate", > "executionRate": 10000, > "expression": "{[System]Gateway/Alarming/Active and Acked}", > "name": "New Tag", > "tagType": "AtomicTag", > "valueSource": "expr" > } > > ``` I also tested against an 8.1.54 gateway with same outcome. 🤷‍♂️ I even enabled history (with no deadband) to verify that a new point is added to history matching the updating timestamp - and it did...a new point was added every 10 seconds, with no change in value. @pturmel, what version were you testing with? What deadband settings? ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Bingham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Chris\_Bingham](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Chris_Bingham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/12 "2026-09-21T17:57:59Z")
Am I speculating correctly that your actual end-goal is to see a new record in the Historian every 5 minutes with the same (unchanging) value? If so, you do not need an updating timestamp nor value on the tag, there are history settings on the tag which permit that functionality. If you require an updating timestamp on the tag, see my prior post. I was able to observe an updating timestamp without a change in value. That said, I agree with others, in that I struggle to find the rationale behind this requirement. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/13 "2026-09-21T18:43:19Z")
That test was 8.1.47, since OP tagged this topic for v8.1. Deadband mode was absolute, zero, IIRC. (Getting on a plane shortly...) ---
**Author:** ![harshareddy.karumudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@harshareddy.karumudi](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/harshareddy.karumudi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/14 "2026-09-21T18:48:59Z")
Hi I created event code tag as memory tag . Deadband mode is absolute . I want to get update event code timestamp for every 5 min ? ---
**Author:** ![harshareddy.karumudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@harshareddy.karumudi](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/harshareddy.karumudi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/15 "2026-09-21T18:49:55Z")
I created as a memory tag . Does it work for memory tag . Deadband mode is absolute I used ---
**Author:** ![harshareddy.karumudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@harshareddy.karumudi](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/harshareddy.karumudi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/16 "2026-09-21T18:56:14Z")
So my question is without forcing values to change , how to update a tag timestamp for every 5 min ? . In historian it is changing because I kept sample mode as perioidic and sample rate as 300 seconds . If I want to get to update in tag browser also , what to do ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Bingham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Chris\_Bingham](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Chris_Bingham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/17 "2026-09-21T19:13:09Z")
> [@harshareddy.karumudi](#): > > I want to get update event code timestamp for every 5 min ? Why? Where are you trying to view this? ---
**Author:** ![harshareddy.karumudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@harshareddy.karumudi](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/harshareddy.karumudi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/18 "2026-09-21T19:24:15Z")
To capture the fault tags ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Bingham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Chris\_Bingham](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Chris_Bingham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/can-i-force-values-in-script-for-getting-tag-timestamp-change-for-every-5-min/117110/19 "2026-09-21T20:34:29Z")
> [@harshareddy.karumudi](#): > > Does it work for memory tag If you want the timestamp to update periodically on a memory tag, you'll need to write the timestamp & value (as a [BasicQualifiedValue](https://sdk.inductiveautomation.com/javadoc/ignition81/8.1.0/com/inductiveautomation/ignition/common/model/values/BasicQualifiedValue.html)) from whatever script is writing to the memory tag. Note that this approach is an undocumented one... here is a post that might help guide you: > [@system.tag.writeBlocking sometimes doesn't update the Timestamp? with BasicQualifiedValue](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/system-tag-writeblocking-sometimes-doesnt-update-the-timestamp-with-basicqualifiedvalue/77249): > > So I have a (well actually I have dozens, but I've narrowed down the problem to just one) Integer memory tag (and some reference and expression tags pointing at it), and its value stays constant most of the time. I have a script running every 8 seconds to ask a server on the network for the latest value, and I use a block of code like this to update the tag: TESTING\_OFFSET = -1000 from com.inductiveautomation.ignition.common.model.values import BasicQualifiedValue # Create a BasicQualifiedVal… If it's possible, try to generate the same value using an expression tag.