How to Use Date Fields in a Menu Item
Date field features are useful for staff that need to print any time of the day and the exact time for the expiration date in the portal or app will print for a new menu item prepared, see What are Date Fields?
Menu items added to your portal can be set by days, hours, and minutes in the Food Expiration feature. The menu item will expire at the end of the 24 hour day of the set expiration date. For years, it can be updated for the prepared and expiration dates on the app.
The exact time for the food expiration date will print from the app. Date fields are set in the menu item by days, hours, and minutes.
Portal |
App |
Food ExpirationStarts from the prepared date and includes the thaw/ready date. Can be edited in the portal and app. PortalAppFood PullStarts on prepared date and can be edited in the portal. Food TemperStarts on prepared date and can be edited in the portal. Food Thaw/ReadyStarts on prepared date, adds to expiration date, and can be edited in the portal. |
Prepared DateThe start date of the food prepared date and can be edited on the app. The menu item will expire at the end of the 24 hour day of the set expiration date. |
Prepared Date for the menu item
- The date and time the label prints on the DateCodeGenie.
- Can be printed on your label by adding the Prepared Date feature to the label preview in the layout designer.
- The start date for Pull, Temper, and Thaw/Ready date fields of a menu item is used to print the correct date on your label.
End of Day (EOD)
- The Expires at the end of day is when a menu item will expire at the end of a 24-hour day of the set expiration period, no matter the chosen time.
- Thaws/Ready at the end of the day box is available to indicate your menu item will expire or be ready through the end of the number of days set for the menu item.
- The letters EOD will print on your labels after the expiration date as a reminder.
- Not checking the End of Day box means the menu item date field added to your label will use the date, hour, and minute printed (prepared date and time) to display the exact date and time your menu item will expire or be ready.
Date field features must be added to printer profiles to print, see How to Use Date Fields in a Printer Profile
Steps:
1. Login to www.datecodegenie.com using the recommended browser, see What Internet Browser Should I Use to Access My DateCodeGenie® Portal?
2. Click on the Menu Items tab on the side bar.
3. Click the Edit button (pencil icon) from a menu item to edit, or add new menu item. See How to Add or Edit Menu Items.
4. Scroll down to the FOOD EXPIRATION section. Enter the Days, Hrs, and/or minutes to set the expiration time. If desired, there are two additional settings to edit.
WARNING
End of Day (EOD) feature used on a printer profile will override the food expiration date of a menu item.
NOTES
- If the number 0 is entered in the Days text field, the expiration date will count that day as the start date to count from and expire the next day.
- Remove Food Expiration by leaving days, hrs, and min blank to indicate that the menu item will never expire.
5. OPTIONAL: Click the Expires at the end of day checkbox to set the menu item to expire at the end of the desired day(s).
NOTE
Enter 0 in the Days box for the menu item to expire at the end 24 hour day.
TIPS & TRICKS
The date field title on the label used to refer to each date feature on the menu item page and mass import/export columns can’t be changed. Date field title on label can be changed on the printer profile for each date feature from the feature editor of each date feature added to your printer profile.
6. OPTIONAL: Click + Show More Options under Food Expiration to see all date fields settings if not displayed.
Click - Show Less Options to close.
7. Enter the desired numbers in the Days, Hrs, or Min boxes for FOOD THAW/READY, FOOD TEMPER OR FOOD PULL.
NOTE
Click the checkbox to set ready date and end of day.
In the portal:
8. Click Save Changes.
9. Download updates on your device to update your menu item.
For additional assistance see Contact & Support