---
title: How can I create a unique number for a submission? | Paperform Help Center | Paperform
description: Paperform already provides a unique identifier for each submission received. If you'd still like to produce a number for each response then this can be achieved via the use of a Calculation field, a feature exclusive to our Pro and Agency plan.
url: "https://paperform.co/help/articles/how-can-i-create-a-unique-number-for-a-submission"
type: static
generatedAt: "2026-04-04T00:42:01.633Z"
---

How can I create a unique number for a submission?
### Submissions

Paperform already provides a unique identifier for each submission received (the [Submission ID](https://paperform.co/help/articles/how-can-i-create-a-unique-id-for-a-submission/)). If you'd still like to produce a number for each response then this can be achieved via use of a Calculation field, although we don't make guarantees that this ID will be truly "unique".

> Calculation fields are exclusively available with specific [pricing plans](https://paperform.co/pricing/).

Here's how:

 1. Create a new calculation field on your form
 1. Set the title as you see fit (e.g. Unique ID) - this will make it easier to locate in your results
 1. Select the Calculation field and navigate to the Question Panel and click on the **Open Calculation Editor** button
 1. In the field labelled "Calculation", enter `DATEFORMAT(NOW(), "X");`

This calculation will generate a number using the current date & time, which can be found in the submission results. This means that if more than one respondent submits your form in the same millisecond, they will receive the same number.

Note that the same is *not* true for the automatically generated Submission ID included with every form response - these will always remain unique.

### Related Articles
  [How can I create a unique ID for a submission?  When a new submission is received on your form, Paperform automatically creates a unique alphanumeric Submission ID.](/help/articles/how-can-i-create-a-unique-id-for-a-submission/)