Pages 2.0 | Add the Countdown Timer Page Widget

🎯 Who this article is for: Admins who need to install the widget, and for page group owners, editors, and admins who want to add and configure it on a page.

💼 Package requirements: The Countdown Timer page widget is available to all packages.

🔒 Permissions: Installing or uninstalling the widget from the Apps Marketplace requires admin access. Adding the widget to a page requires admin, page group owner, or page group editor access.

🔎 To add the Countdown Timer widget to a channel post or article instead, see Add the Countdown Timer Widget to a Post.

🗒️ Note: This article covers the Countdown Timer Page Widget specifically. The widget is added through the page editor and is part of the Pages 2.0 experience.

1. Overview

The Countdown Timer page widget lets you place a live, ticking countdown directly on any page in your intranet, so the information and the timeline are always in the same place. Whether a team is working toward a submission deadline, a product launch, or a significant organizational change, the widget keeps every visitor accurately oriented in time, without anyone needing to maintain it as the date approaches.

Once the countdown reaches zero, a configurable expired state lets you replace the timer with a message and a next-step link, so the widget stays relevant and useful long after the moment has passed.

2. Use cases

• Drive completion on enrollment and submission deadlines: Whether it is benefits enrollment, a performance review submission, or a policy acknowledgment, a countdown embedded alongside the form or instructions gives every visitor the full picture at a glance: what they need to do, and exactly how much time they have to do it.
• Signal that something significant is changing, and how soon: Before a system migration, a new policy going live, or a major process change, the page holding all the context also shows how far away the change is. Every time someone visits to prepare, the timeline is accurate, without anyone needing to update the page as the date approaches.
• Give a company-wide moment a shared reference point that updates itself: An all-hands, a product launch, a company-wide initiative with a known start date. The page describes what is coming and the countdown shows how close it is, giving anyone who visits an accurate picture of where things stand, from the first announcement through to the day it arrives.

3. How to install and uninstall the Countdown Timer widget

Only admins can install or uninstall widgets from the Apps Marketplace.

How to install

1. Click your avatar in the navigation.
2. Go to Admin Settings → Apps.
3. Search for Countdown Timer.
4. Click the Install button at the top-right.
5. Accept the terms and conditions to complete installation.

The Countdown Timer page widget will now appear in the widget menu whenever you are editing a page.

How to uninstall

1. Click your avatar in the navigation.
2. Go to Admin Settings → Apps.
3. Search for Countdown Timer.
4. Click the Uninstall button at the top-right.
5. Confirm the uninstallation.

⚠️ Important: When you uninstall the Countdown Timer widget, any instances already placed on published pages will remain visible but display an error message in place of the timer.

4. How to add the Countdown Timer page widget

1. Navigate to the page where you want to add the widget.
2. Click the pencil icon (top-right) to enter the page editor.
3. Go to Widgets and select the Countdown Timer Page Widget to place it in a section on the page.
   • 🔎 For guidance on adding widgets to your page, see Add and Manage Widgets.
4. Hover over the widget and click the gear icon to open the configuration settings.
5. Configure the widget (see section 6), then publish the page to make it visible to everyone with access.

5. How to configure the Countdown Timer page widget

To configure the widget on your page, hover over it and click the gear icon to open the settings panel. The panel has two tabs: Configure and Style. See section 6 for style options.

Configuration

Content

These optional fields add text that appears alongside the countdown:

• Widget header: Toggle on to display a header above the widget content.
• Eyebrow label: A small label above the main heading, useful for context such as "Deadline" or "Coming soon."
• Main heading: The primary title displayed on the widget.
• Body text: Supporting text below the main heading.
• Footer note: A small note displayed beneath the countdown.

Date and time

• YYYY-MM-DD (required): Enter the target date in year-month-day format, for example 2026-12-31.
• HH:MM:SS (required): Enter the target time in 24-hour format, in your local time zone, for example 17:00:00.

Add a button

Toggle on Add a button to include a CTA alongside the countdown. This is especially useful when you want viewers to take a specific action before the deadline, such as registering for an event, filling out a form, or accessing a linked document.

• Button label: Enter the text that appears on the button, for example "Register now" or "Submit your form."
• Button color: Choose a color to match your branding or draw attention to the action.
• Button URL: Add the URL the button will direct users to when clicked.

Customize expired state

Toggle on Customize expired state to control what viewers see once the countdown reaches zero. To preview it before the event, set a date and time in the past.

• Expired main heading: Enter a short message that replaces the timer when it ends, for example "Registration is now closed" or "The event has started."
• Add a button: Toggle on to include a button in the expired state. Enter an Expired button label and an Expired button URL to direct people to the recording, a post-event summary, or the next relevant action.

6. Style options

The Style tab controls the visual appearance of this widget instance. Changes you make here apply only to this specific widget and will not update automatically if the default style for the widget type changes. Click Reset to style default at the top of the tab to revert to the current platform default at any time.

• Style option: Select a preset style or choose (Customize) to set individual values.
• Padding: Control the spacing inside the widget using the slider (0px to 32px). Toggle Custom padding on to set each side independently.
• Border: Toggle on to add a border around the widget.
• Round corners: Use the slider to set the corner radius.
• Shadow: Toggle on to add a drop shadow to the widget.
• Background color: Choose a background color or keep the system default.
• Background image: Select an image source to display as the widget background.
• Color theme: Set the text and contrast theme. Automatic (Light, with dark text) detects the background automatically; you can also select a specific light or dark option.

7. Best practices

The Countdown Timer widget works best when it is set up with the full journey in mind: from the moment of publication through to what happens after the deadline. These tips help you get the most out of it.

• Set the expired state before publishing: It takes under a minute, but it prevents your countdown from becoming a silent zero. A clear expired message and a link to relevant content keeps the page functional and shows your team that the intranet is actively maintained.
• Pair every deadline with a CTA button: A countdown that reminds people a deadline is approaching is useful. One that also shows them exactly where to go is far more likely to drive the action you need. Add the button and link it directly to the relevant form, page, or resource.
• Place the widget where your audience already goes: A countdown buried inside a deep page group will not reach the people who need to act on it. Add it to a high-traffic page your team already visits regularly, so the timeline is visible to everyone who needs to act on it.

8. Frequently asked questions

Does the countdown update in real time for viewers?

Yes. The timer updates in real time. Viewers do not need to refresh the page for the countdown to advance.

What happens if I do not configure the expired state?

If the expired state is not configured, the widget will display a zero countdown once the deadline passes, with no message or next step for viewers. Configuring the expired state before publishing ensures the widget remains useful and informative after it has counted down.

Can I add more than one Countdown Timer widget to the same page?

Yes. You can place multiple Countdown Timer widgets on a single page. That said, be intentional about how many you use and where you place them. Too many countdowns on one page can make it harder for employees to tell which deadline needs their attention. If you are tracking more than one deadline, consider whether a separate page or section makes more sense for each one.

Can I edit the timer after the page has been published?

Yes. Open the page editor, hover over the widget, click the gear icon, and update the settings. Publish the page again to apply the changes.