DateToString (Function)

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Functions for managing dates and times

Special case: is not specified

Related examples

See also

DateToString (Function)

In french: DateVersChaîne

Formats:

the specified date to the specified format.
Versions 18 and later
the specified date time to the specified format.
New in version 18
the specified date time to the specified format.
the specified date time to the specified format.

Versions 16 and later
DateToString proposes new formats used to precisely configure the format of the days and the format of the months (presence of an uppercase character (or not) at the beginning of the day or at the beginning of the month).

This function is now available for Windows Phone applications.

New in version 16
DateToString proposes new formats used to precisely configure the format of the days and the format of the months (presence of an uppercase character (or not) at the beginning of the day or at the beginning of the month).

This function is now available for Windows Phone applications.

DateToString proposes new formats used to precisely configure the format of the days and the format of the months (presence of an uppercase character (or not) at the beginning of the day or at the beginning of the month).

This function is now available for Windows Phone applications.

Versions 17 and later

This function is now available for iPhone/iPad applications.

New in version 17

This function is now available for iPhone/iPad applications.

Versions 18 and later

This function is now available in Android Widget mode.

This function is now available in Windows Store apps mode.

New in version 18

This function is now available in Android Widget mode.

This function is now available in Windows Store apps mode.

This function is now available in Android Widget mode.

This function is now available in Windows Store apps mode.

Versions 21 and later

This function is now available in Universal Windows 10 App mode.

New in version 21

This function is now available in Universal Windows 10 App mode.

Tip: If the formatted date contains the "/" characters, it must not be displayed it in a Date edit control.

Example

Res = DateToString("20191225") // Res = "25/12/2019"

Res = DateToString(IntegerToDate(73773)) // Res = "25/12/2001"

DateToString("") // Returns ""

Res = DateToString("20191225", "MM-DD-YYYY") // Res = "12-25-2019"

Res = DateToString("20791225", "Day number DD of month # MM, YYYYY")

Res = DateToString(DateSys(), maskSystemDate)
// Res is using the format defined in the project

Versions 16 and later

// The case used for the days and for the months depends on the linguistic options of the project
Res = DateToString("20031202", "DDD DD MMM YYYY")
// Res = "tue. 02 dec. 2003" or "Tue. 02 Dec. 2003"

Res = DateToString("20031202", "DDDD DD MMMM YYYY")
// Res = "tuesday 02 december 2003" or "Tuesday 02 December 2003"

// The case used for the days and for the months is forced with an uppercase character
Res = DateToString("20031202", "Ddd DD Mmm YYYY") // Res = "Tue. 02 Dec. 2003"
Res = DateToString("20031202", "Dddd DD MMMM YYYY") // Res = "Tuesday 02 December 2003"

New in version 16

Versions 16 and later

Res = DateToString("20191125", maskEmailDate)
// Returns "Mon, 25 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100"

Res = DateToString("20190825", maskEmailDate)
// Returns "Sun, 25 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200"

New in version 16

Res = DateToString("20191125", maskEmailDate)
// Returns "Mon, 25 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100"

Res = DateToString("20190825", maskEmailDate)
// Returns "Sun, 25 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200"

Versions 25 and later

Res = DateToString("20191125", maskDateEmailUTC)
// Returns "Sun, 24 Nov 2019 23:00:00 +0000"

Res = DateToString("20190825", maskDateInternet)
// Returns "2019-08-25T00:00:00.000+02:00"

Res = DateToString("20190825", maskDateInternetUTC)
// Returns "2019-08-24T22:00:00.000Z"

New in version 25

Versions 18 and later

// The date is 01/22/2013
Res = DateToString("20130101", maskDateRelativeDuration)
// Returns: 3 weeks ago

Res = DateToString("20132511", maskDateRelativeDuration)
// Returns: in 10 months

Res = DateToString("20131801", maskDateRelativeDuration)
// Returns: last week

New in version 18

Syntax

Converting a date into string Hide the details

<Result> = DateToString(<Date> [, <Format>])

<Result>: Character string

Character string in the specified format.

<Date>: Character string, Date variable

Date to convert. If this date corresponds to a string, it must be in YYYYMMDD format (YYYY corresponds to the year, MM to the month and DD to the day).

<Format>: Optional character string

Format of the converted date. This parameter can contain a word, a sentence, ... The specific characters representing the different elements of the date (YYYY, YY, MM or DD) will be automatically replaced by their value identified in the <Date> string. In this string, the characters:
YYYY represent the year on 4 digits,
YY represent the year on 2 digits.
M represents the month (no zero is displayed in front of the month number),
MM represent the month on 2 digits,
MMM represent the month in letters on 3 characters (for example: jan). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Versions 16 and later
Mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Jan)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
Mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Jan)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Jan)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Versions 16 and later
mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: jan)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: jan)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: jan)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
MMMM represent the full month in letters (for example: January). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Versions 16 and later
Mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: January)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
Mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: January)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: January)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Versions 16 and later
mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: January)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: January)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: January)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
D represents the day (no zero is displayed in front of the day number),
DD represent the day on 2 digits,
DDD represent the day in letters on 3 characters (for example: Mon). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Versions 16 and later
Ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Mon)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
Ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Mon)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Mon)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Versions 16 and later
ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: Mon)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: Mon)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: Mon)
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
DDDD represent the full day in letters (for example: monday). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Versions 16 and later
Dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Monday).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
Dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Monday).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Monday).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Versions 16 and later
dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: monday).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: monday).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: monday).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
Versions 16 and later
M represents the first letter of the day (for example: M,T,W,T,F,S,S).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
New in version 16
M represents the first letter of the day (for example: M,T,W,T,F,S,S).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
M represents the first letter of the day (for example: M,T,W,T,F,S,S).
This notation is not available. This notation is not available.
If this parameter corresponds to the following constant:
Versions 18 and later
maskDateRelativeDuration
New in version 18
maskDateRelativeDuration
maskDateRelativeDuration This format is used to express the duration passed (or the future duration) between the today's date and the specified date. This format is expressed in natural en language. The different formulations used can be configured in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
In the "Languages" tab:
select the language to configure.
select the "Date" tab.
Click the "Dates and Times in natural language" button.
Define (if necessary) the custom captions to use. These captions will be used:
for the result of DateToString.
for the controls that use the "Relative duration" display mask.
Versions 16 and later
maskEmailDate
New in version 16
maskEmailDate
maskEmailDate The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Not available.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateEmailUTC
New in version 25
maskDateEmailUTC
maskDateEmailUTC The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
Not available.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternet
New in version 25
maskDateInternet
maskDateInternet The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternetUTC
New in version 25
maskDateInternetUTC
maskDateInternetUTC The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
maskSystemDate The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language ("Project .. Project description", "Languages" tab).
The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
Select the "Languages" tab then the "Date" tab.
The format used corresponds to:
the parameters of the operating system,
the specified parameters (with the defined days and months).

If this parameter is not specified, the DD/MM/YYYY format is used by default.

Versions 18 and later

Converting a datetime into string Hide the details

<Result> = DateToString(<Date and time> [, <Format>])

<Result>: Character string

Character string in the specified format.

<Date and time>: Character string, DateTime variable

Date and Time to be converted. This parameter can correspond to:
a character string containing the date and time in the format YYYYYMMDDHHHmmSSCC (YYYY corresponds to year, MM to month, DD to day, HH to hours, mm to minutes, SS to seconds and CC to hundredths of a second).
a DateTime variable.

<Format>: Optional character string

Format of the converted date and time. This parameter can contain a word, a sentence, ... The specific characters representing the different elements of the date and time will be automatically replaced by their value identified in the <Date and time> string. In this string, the characters:
YYYY represent the year on 4 digits,
YY represent the date on 2 digits,
M represents the month (no zero is displayed in front of the month number),
MM represent the month on 2 digits,
MMM represent the month in letters on 3 characters (for example: jan). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Jan)
mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: jan)
MMMM represent the full month in letters (for example: January). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: January)
mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: January)
D represents the day (no zero is displayed in front of the day number),
DD represent the day on 2 digits,
DDD represent the day in letters on 3 characters (for example: Mon). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Mon)
ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: Mon)
DDDD represent the full day in letters (for example: monday). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Monday)
dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: monday)
M represents the first letter of the day (for example: M,T,W,T,F,S,S)
HH represent the number of hours,
mm represent the number of minutes,
SS represent the number of seconds,
CC represent the number of hundredths of a second,
AP represent "AM" or "PM" (if "AM" is found in the format, the time is displayed over 12 hours).
If this parameter corresponds to the following constant:
Versions 18 and later
maskDateRelativeDuration
New in version 18
maskDateRelativeDuration
maskDateRelativeDuration This format is used to express the duration passed (or the future duration) between the today's date and the specified date. This format is expressed in natural en language. The different formulations used can be configured in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
In the "Languages" tab:
select the language to configure.
select the "Date" tab.
Click the "Dates and Times in natural language" button.
Define (if necessary) the custom captions to use. These captions will be used:
for the result of DateToString.
for the controls that use the "Relative duration" display mask.
Versions 16 and later
maskEmailDate
New in version 16
maskEmailDate
maskEmailDate The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateEmailUTC
New in version 25
maskDateEmailUTC
maskDateEmailUTC The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternet
New in version 25
maskDateInternet
maskDateInternet The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternetUTC
New in version 25
maskDateInternetUTC
maskDateInternetUTC The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
maskSystemDate The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language ("Project .. Project description", "Languages" tab).
The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
Select the "Languages" tab then the "Date" tab.
The format used corresponds to:
the parameters of the operating system,
the specified parameters (with the defined days and months).

If this parameter is not specified, the DD/MM/YYYY HH:mm:SS:CC format is used by default.

New in version 18

Converting a datetime into string Hide the details

<Result> = DateToString(<Date and time> [, <Format>])

<Result>: Character string

Character string in the specified format.

<Date and time>: Character string, DateTime variable

Date and Time to be converted. This parameter can correspond to:
a character string containing the date and time in the format YYYYYMMDDHHHmmSSCC (YYYY corresponds to year, MM to month, DD to day, HH to hours, mm to minutes, SS to seconds and CC to hundredths of a second).
a DateTime variable.

<Format>: Optional character string

Format of the converted date and time. This parameter can contain a word, a sentence, ... The specific characters representing the different elements of the date and time will be automatically replaced by their value identified in the <Date and time> string. In this string, the characters:
YYYY represent the year on 4 digits,
YY represent the date on 2 digits,
M represents the month (no zero is displayed in front of the month number),
MM represent the month on 2 digits,
MMM represent the month in letters on 3 characters (for example: jan). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Jan)
mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: jan)
MMMM represent the full month in letters (for example: January). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: January)
mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: January)
D represents the day (no zero is displayed in front of the day number),
DD represent the day on 2 digits,
DDD represent the day in letters on 3 characters (for example: Mon). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Mon)
ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: Mon)
DDDD represent the full day in letters (for example: monday). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Monday)
dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: monday)
M represents the first letter of the day (for example: M,T,W,T,F,S,S)
HH represent the number of hours,
mm represent the number of minutes,
SS represent the number of seconds,
CC represent the number of hundredths of a second,
AP represent "AM" or "PM" (if "AM" is found in the format, the time is displayed over 12 hours).
If this parameter corresponds to the following constant:
Versions 18 and later
maskDateRelativeDuration
New in version 18
maskDateRelativeDuration
maskDateRelativeDuration This format is used to express the duration passed (or the future duration) between the today's date and the specified date. This format is expressed in natural en language. The different formulations used can be configured in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
In the "Languages" tab:
select the language to configure.
select the "Date" tab.
Click the "Dates and Times in natural language" button.
Define (if necessary) the custom captions to use. These captions will be used:
for the result of DateToString.
for the controls that use the "Relative duration" display mask.
Versions 16 and later
maskEmailDate
New in version 16
maskEmailDate
maskEmailDate The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateEmailUTC
New in version 25
maskDateEmailUTC
maskDateEmailUTC The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternet
New in version 25
maskDateInternet
maskDateInternet The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternetUTC
New in version 25
maskDateInternetUTC
maskDateInternetUTC The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
maskSystemDate The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language ("Project .. Project description", "Languages" tab).
The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
Select the "Languages" tab then the "Date" tab.
The format used corresponds to:
the parameters of the operating system,
the specified parameters (with the defined days and months).

If this parameter is not specified, the DD/MM/YYYY HH:mm:SS:CC format is used by default.

Converting a datetime into string Hide the details

<Result> = DateToString(<Date and time> [, <Format>])

<Result>: Character string

Character string in the specified format.

<Date and time>: Character string, DateTime variable

Date and Time to be converted. This parameter can correspond to:
a character string containing the date and time in the format YYYYYMMDDHHHmmSSCC (YYYY corresponds to year, MM to month, DD to day, HH to hours, mm to minutes, SS to seconds and CC to hundredths of a second).
a DateTime variable.

<Format>: Optional character string

Format of the converted date and time. This parameter can contain a word, a sentence, ... The specific characters representing the different elements of the date and time will be automatically replaced by their value identified in the <Date and time> string. In this string, the characters:
YYYY represent the year on 4 digits,
YY represent the date on 2 digits,
M represents the month (no zero is displayed in front of the month number),
MM represent the month on 2 digits,
MMM represent the month in letters on 3 characters (for example: jan). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Jan)
mmm represent the month in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: jan)
MMMM represent the full month in letters (for example: January). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: January)
mmmm represent the full month in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: January)
D represents the day (no zero is displayed in front of the day number),
DD represent the day on 2 digits,
DDD represent the day in letters on 3 characters (for example: Mon). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Mon)
ddd represent the day in letters on 3 characters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: Mon)
DDDD represent the full day in letters (for example: monday). The case used depends on the linguistic options of project.
Dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in uppercase (for example: Monday)
dddd represent the full day in letters with the first letter forced in lowercase (for example: monday)
M represents the first letter of the day (for example: M,T,W,T,F,S,S)
HH represent the number of hours,
mm represent the number of minutes,
SS represent the number of seconds,
CC represent the number of hundredths of a second,
AP represent "AM" or "PM" (if "AM" is found in the format, the time is displayed over 12 hours).
If this parameter corresponds to the following constant:
Versions 18 and later
maskDateRelativeDuration
New in version 18
maskDateRelativeDuration
maskDateRelativeDuration This format is used to express the duration passed (or the future duration) between the today's date and the specified date. This format is expressed in natural en language. The different formulations used can be configured in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
In the "Languages" tab:
select the language to configure.
select the "Date" tab.
Click the "Dates and Times in natural language" button.
Define (if necessary) the custom captions to use. These captions will be used:
for the result of DateToString.
for the controls that use the "Relative duration" display mask.
Versions 16 and later
maskEmailDate
New in version 16
maskEmailDate
maskEmailDate The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateEmailUTC
New in version 25
maskDateEmailUTC
maskDateEmailUTC The format used corresponds to the date format of the RFC-5322 standard used to encrypt an email, a RSS stream, ...
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternet
New in version 25
maskDateInternet
maskDateInternet The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in the local time zone.
Versions 25 and later
maskDateInternetUTC
New in version 25
maskDateInternetUTC
maskDateInternetUTC The format used corresponds to the RFC-3339 standard used for international communications.
The result is expressed in universal time (UTC).
maskSystemDate The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language ("Project .. Project description", "Languages" tab).
The format used corresponds to the format defined in the project description for the current language:
On the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
Select the "Languages" tab then the "Date" tab.
The format used corresponds to:
the parameters of the operating system,
the specified parameters (with the defined days and months).

If this parameter is not specified, the DD/MM/YYYY HH:mm:SS:CC format is used by default.

Remarks

Validity of the date

The validity of the date passed in parameter is checked. A message is displayed if the date is invalid. The validity of a date can be checked with DateValid. The storage format allows you to store dates from 01/01/0001 to 12/31/9999.

The calculations performed on dates by the WLanguage functions or by the WLanguage properties are accurate from January 1st 1583.

Date format

DateToString is used to format a date returned by IntegerToDate or DateSys. The result can be assigned to a text control for example.

To get the date in another format, use Right, Left, Middle, etc.

Special case: <Format> is not specified

The linguistic options specified for the dates in the project description are taken into account if no specific format is defined.

To display the linguistic options of the project:

Display the project description ("Project .. Project description").Display the project description: on the "Project" pane, in the "Project" group, click "Description".
Select the "Language" tab.

For example:

if the project is using the linguistic options of Windows for the dates, the days of the week and the months will start with a lowercase character on a computer running a French version of Windows.
if the project is using specific parameters for the dates for one or more languages (custom name of the day or month, ...), these parameters will be taken into account for the specified language.

Related Examples:

Unit examples (WINDEV): Management of dates

[ + ] Using the Date type of WLanguage and the functions for handling dates.

Business / UI classification : Neutral code

Component : wd250std.dll