groovy script to insert the current date into an open node

[nnako]

BACKGROUND

Within e.g. Microsoft's EXCEL application I often use a feature which generates a current date string within any element currently selected or edited (e.g. a cell or a cell's comment element). As this feature is very convenient if the user is working with textual elements which often need the current date to be inserted, I'd like to create something similar for use within Freeplane mindmaps.

ACTION SEQUENCE / USER INTERFACE

• open a node's editor for text input (e.g. by selecting a node and pressing <F2>)
• press e.g. <CTRL> + <.> (control and the "dot" key) to paste the current date into the current cursor position within the currently edited node
• continue adding text to that node by simply typing

REQUIREMENTS

• the inserted date does not have to be a real date object recognized by Freeplane itself. Just the text string representation would be sufficient.
• ability to predefine the hotkey to insert the date by Freeplane's standard means (default would be as within EXCEL: <CTRL> + <.>)
• ...

QUESTIONS

• which Groovy function could be used to open the currently selected node in text edit mode of the node's core portioin if it is not already opened it text edit mode?
• which Groovy function could be used to set the cursor to an arbitrary position within the current edit scope (regardless of it being within a node's core or e.g. a notes or details portion)?
• which Groovy function could be used to insert text at the current cursor position of the currently edited node?

In effect, I want to be able to execute Groovy functions while staying in edit mode of the current context. In my current experience, calling Groovy functions from within a script causes the termination of the current edit operation. But I want to stay and continue in edit mode while the script is temporarily running.

[dpolivaev]

I asked your question ChatGPT and got the following answer. I have not verified it.

Here's a complete Groovy script and accompanying explanation in English, tailored as a helpful post for a Freeplane user who wants to insert the current date into the text being edited — similar to Excel’s Ctrl+. behavior.

---

✅ Groovy Script: Insert Current Date at Caret Position in Edit Mode

import javax.swing.*
import java.awt.*
import java.time.LocalDate
import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter
import javax.swing.text.JTextComponent

// Get the current date as a string
def dateString = LocalDate.now().format(DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd"))

// Get the currently focused component
def focusedComponent = KeyboardFocusManager.getCurrentKeyboardFocusManager().getFocusOwner()

// If it's a text component (node text, note, or detail being edited), insert the date at the caret
if (focusedComponent instanceof JTextComponent) {
    def editor = (JTextComponent) focusedComponent
    def pos = editor.getCaretPosition()
    editor.document.insertString(pos, dateString, null)
}

---

💡 What This Script Does

This script allows you to press a custom hotkey (like Ctrl + .) while editing any text in Freeplane — such as a node title, a note, or a detail — and instantly insert today’s date at the current cursor position without interrupting edit mode.

---

🔍 Technical Notes

• Does not exit edit mode: Unlike many Freeplane Groovy actions (c.selected.text = ...), this script directly manipulates the JTextComponent under keyboard focus, preserving the editing session.
• Works across all edit contexts: Node core text, notes, and details — as long as you're actively editing.
• Uses standard Java APIs: No Freeplane-specific objects are needed unless you want to force opening a node for editing.

[nnako]

Thanks, Dimitry. I will have a look at it.

Yeah, the age of NI (natural intelligence) seems to quickly become irrelevant at the rise of AI . Things become easy. Hopefully not too easy for humanity to loose their human capacities ;-) .

[dpolivaev]

At the moment AI increases my productivity.
I used to feel like the horse — doing all the pulling.
Now I feel like the coachman — guiding the direction.

[nnako]

true, my friend.

we have to learn to utilize it as a tool. without loosing our capacities.

[nnako]

anyway... it works like a charm. without changing anything... scary!

Thank you @dpolivaev