* auto text automation?

[BevSmallwood]

Is there a way to set up auto text such that the research note date will be populated with today's date?

[tatewise]

Sorry, despite its name, there is no 'automation' available within Autotext. It only automates the insertion of plain text.
To perform any 'automation' such as inserting a Date will require a Plugin to be written.

[BevSmallwood]

Betraying my lack of skills

Is there a quick key or keyboard combination that would give the system date?

[BevSmallwood]

Related question.

Creating a source template - can a Date field be set to system date?

[tatewise]

I think the answer to both those questions is 'no'.

[ColeValleyGirl]

Betraying my lack of skills

Is there a quick key or keyboard combination that would give the system date?

You could look at AutoHotkey if you felt confident to create or modify one of its scripts.

[BevSmallwood]

I just installed auto hot key and the FH scripts.

This page describes a script that should work:
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/inse ... rd-hotkey/

Do I add it to the FH script or create a second script?

[ColeValleyGirl]

Personally, I'd add it to the FH script -- keep everything in one place, but that's just a preference.