# Event Timestamps

Generates timestamps that fit an event distribution. The source timestamp must include a date. It cannot be a time-only value.

Link columns to create a sequence of events across multiple columns. This generator can be partitioned by other columns.

## Characteristics <a href="#event-timestamps-characteristics" id="event-timestamps-characteristics"></a>

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th valign="top"></th><th valign="top"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Consistency</strong></td><td valign="top">No, cannot be made consistent.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Linking</strong></td><td valign="top">Yes, can be linked.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Differential privacy</strong></td><td valign="top">No</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Data-free</strong></td><td valign="top">No</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Allowed for primary keys</strong></td><td valign="top">No</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Allowed for unique columns</strong></td><td valign="top">No</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Uses format-preserving encryption (FPE)</strong></td><td valign="top">No</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Privacy ranking</strong></td><td valign="top">3</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Generator ID (for the API)</strong></td><td valign="top"><a href="../../../api/quick-start-guide/tonic-api-generator-assignment/generator-api-reference/generator-api-ref-event-timestamps"><code>EventGenerator</code></a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## How to configure <a href="#event-timestamps-configure" id="event-timestamps-configure"></a>

To configure the generator:

1. From the **Link To** dropdown list, select the other Event Timestamps generator columns to link this column to.\
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   Linking creates a sequence across multiple columns.
2. From the **Partition** drop-down list, select one or more columns to use to partition the data.\
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   The selected columns must have their generator set to either Passthrough or Categorical.\
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   For more information about partitioning and how it works, go to [partitioning](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators/generator-characteristics/partitioning "mention").
3. The **Options** list displays the current column and linked columns.\
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   Use the **Up** and **Down** buttons to configure the column sequence.
4. If [Structural data encryption](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators-assign-config/generators-data-encryption-config) is enabled, then to use it for this column, in the advanced options section, toggle **Use data encryption process** to the on position.