The Due Dates block shows visitors a deadline that updates on its own. Use it to tell people when they can expect something to be finished, or how early they need to send a request before an event.

Because the block does the date math for you, the dates on your page never go out of date. There’s nothing to update by hand.

When to use it

Use the Due Dates block when you want to:

• Set expectations for turnaround time. For example: “Requests submitted today will be completed by Thursday, October 8, 2026.”
• Help visitors plan ahead. For example: “Tell us your event date and we’ll show you the last day to submit your request.”

If the date is fixed, like an application deadline that is always March 1, just type it in a regular paragraph instead.

Before you start

The Due Dates block is part of the Advanced Feature Pack. If you can’t find it in the editor, ask your site administrator to turn it on under NC State Theme -> Feature Packs.

Adding the block

1. In the page editor, click the + (Add block) button.
2. Search for Due Dates.
3. Click the block to add it to your page.
4. Open the Settings panel in the right sidebar to set it up.

Choosing a type

The block has two modes. Pick one under Type of Due Dates in the Settings panel.

Days From Today

This mode counts forward from today and shows the resulting date. Use it to share your usual turnaround time.

What visitors see: a calendar icon with:

• The name of the event or action (for example, “Proofs Ready”)
• How far away it is (for example, “5 business days from today”)
• The full date (for example, “Thursday, October 8, 2026”)

Settings:

Setting	What it does
Event name	The label shown above the date, such as “Proofs Ready” or “Estimated Completion.” If you leave it blank, the block shows “Completed By.”
Unit of Days	Choose Business Days to skip weekends and university holidays, or Calendar Days to count every day.
Number of Days	How many days to count forward from today.

Example: A print shop that finishes most jobs in 5 business days sets Event name to “Your Order Will Be Ready,” Unit of Days to Business Days, and Number of Days to 5. A visitor on Monday, October 5, 2026 sees Monday, October 12, 2026.

Date Picker

This mode lets visitors choose a date, then counts backward from it to show a deadline. Use it when people need to contact you a certain amount of time before an event.

What visitors see: two panels side by side:

• Select Start Date: a date field where the visitor picks the date they need, such as the day of their event. It starts out set to today.
• Due Date: the last day they should submit their request, based on your lead time. It updates as soon as they choose a date.

Settings:

Setting	What it does
Unit of Days	Choose Business Days to skip weekends and university holidays, or Calendar Days to count every day.
Number of Days	Your lead time: how many days before the chosen date a request needs to come in.

Example: A photography team needs 10 business days’ notice. They set Unit of Days to Business Days and Number of Days to 10. A visitor planning an event for Friday, October 30, 2026 picks that date and sees Friday, October 16, 2026 as the due date.

Tip: The date field is labeled “Select Start Date,” but in most cases visitors will enter the date of their event. Add a short sentence above the block to explain this, such as “Choose your event date to see the last day to submit your request.”

Business days vs. calendar days

• Business days skip Saturdays, Sundays and NC State university holidays.
• Calendar days count every day, including weekends and holidays.

If your office is closed on weekends, business days are usually the better choice.

Tips for writing around the block

• Add context. The block shows a date but doesn’t say what it means. Put a heading or a sentence above it, such as “Standard turnaround time” or “Plan ahead for your event.”
• Keep your numbers realistic. Visitors will treat the date as a promise. If turnaround times change during busy seasons, update the block.
• Use one block per deadline. If you have different turnaround times for different services, add a separate Due Dates block for each one, with its own event name.

Frequently asked questions

Does the date update every day?
Yes. The block works out the date each time the page loads, so visitors always see a date based on today.

Can I pick which holidays are skipped?
No. The block uses NC State’s official university holiday schedule. You can’t add or remove holidays from inside the block.

Why does the date look different in the editor than on my live page?
The editor preview is based on the day you’re editing. If you look at the live page on a different day, the date will have moved forward to match.