Use the Compare component

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Compare two dates and time to find out whether the dates are the same by using the Compare component in RPA Desktop Design Studio.

    Before you begin

    Role required: none

    About this task

    You can configure the properties for the Compare component. For more information about these properties, see Properties of the DateTime components.

    Procedure

    1. In the Toolbox pane, navigate to Utilities > DateTime.
    2. Drag the Compare component to the Design surface.
    3. To configure the input fields, see Configure port properties.
    4. Connect the data and control ports of the Compare component to the corresponding ports of the other components as described in the following table.
      Port type Purpose of connection Mandatory?
      Data In (date1) Passes the first date of the two dates to be compared, from a previously executed component. Yes
      Data In (date2) Passes the second date of the two dates to be compared, from a previously executed component. Yes
      Data Out Returns one of the values based on the comparison result:
      • -1 if the first date is earlier than the second.
      • 0 if the first and second dates are the same.
      • 1 if the first date is later the second date.
      		 Yes.

      To preview the data, right-click the Return field and click Preview Data.
      Control In Connects to the Control Out port of one or more components. Yes
      Control Out Connects to the Control In port of any other component. No. Connecting the port is optional.
    5. Optional: To test the component, under the DESIGN tab, click Run.