Modifier: :diff
:diff means different things depending on the merge tag or the kind of field:
- Time difference from now on {date_created}, {date_updated}, {payment_date}
- Time difference from now on {now}, {yesterday}, {tomorrow}
Time difference from now
On {date_created}, {date_updated}, {payment_date}.
Renders as "3 days ago". Changes the default format string, so it also acts on format when both are present.
| Product | Gravity Forms |
|---|---|
| Requires | Gravity Forms 1.9 or later |
| Works on | {date_created}, {date_updated}, {payment_date} |
| In the picker | What to show |
Examples
Rendered by real Gravity Forms and GravityKit PHP against a test entry.
| Merge tag | Output | Without the modifier |
|---|---|---|
{date_created:diff} | 3 hours ago | January 15, 2026 |
{date_updated:diff} | 3 hours ago | January 15, 2026 |
{payment_date:diff} | 3 hours ago | January 15, 2026 |
{date_created:diff}Rendered against an entry nine days older, where the result differs. | 1 week ago | January 15, 2026 |
{date_updated:diff}Rendered against an entry nine days older, where the result differs. | 1 week ago | January 15, 2026 |
{payment_date:diff}Rendered against an entry nine days older, where the result differs. | 1 week ago | January 15, 2026 |
Where the merge tag picker offers it
Merge tags: {date_created} · {date_updated} · {payment_date}.
Time difference from now
On {now}, {yesterday}, {tomorrow}.
Renders "3 days ago" for past dates and "3 days from now" for future ones.
| Product | GravityView |
|---|---|
| Requires | GravityView 2.30 or later |
| Works on | {now}, {yesterday}, {tomorrow} |
| In the picker | What to show |
Examples
Rendered by real Gravity Forms and GravityKit PHP against a test entry.
| Merge tag | Output | Without the modifier |
|---|---|---|
{now:diff} | 5 hours from now | January 15, 2026 |
{yesterday:diff} | 19 hours ago | January 14, 2026 |
{tomorrow:diff} | 1 day from now | January 16, 2026 |
Where the merge tag picker offers it
Merge tags: {now} · {yesterday} · {tomorrow}.