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SOLVED

Date Formatting

MadeInHB
8 - Asteroid

I have a workflow that has three columns.  Effect Date (2016-01-05),  First of Current Month (2016-02-01) and 185 Days (2015-07-31).

All of these are in the date format.

 

I try to format any of the dates so it would be 01/05/2016. 

 

Here is the formula I have been using. DateTimeFormat([EFFECT DATE],"%m/%d/%y")

 

No matter what I try, I keep getting NULL.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

7 REPLIES 7
michael_treadwell
ACE Emeritus
ACE Emeritus

The function DATETIMEFORMAT() returns a string

 

In your Formula tool there are two options:

 

  1. Create a new field, something like [Effect Date String] and use the formula DATETIMEFORMAT([Effect Date], "%m/%d/%y") Capture.PNG
  2. Or, if you want to update the Effect Date field in the Formula tool, use a Select tool first to convert it into a string

 

If I had to guess, you are trying to take [Effect Date] which is a Date or DateTime object and update the column with the formula you posted which returns a string and that is causing your NULL field.

 

I've attached a module

jdunkerley79
ACE Emeritus
ACE Emeritus

You might find it easier to use a DateTime tool for this. 

dateTimeTool.jpg

@michael_treadwell solution should work if you prefer a formula tool.

 

MadeInHB
8 - Asteroid

When you format a date, does it always stay as a string?  Is there a way to keep the date in the date format?

jdunkerley79
ACE Emeritus
ACE Emeritus

The DateTimeFormat function is for conversion from a date type to a string type. The DateTime tool likewise is for conversion between the two types.

 

The formula tool can create a new field in the dataset and you can keep the original date as well

gcamut
5 - Atom

Hello, I have a date in an odd format and using the Custom incoming string option will only allow me to change one date format at a time. 

 

The date format is dd-Mar-yyy (02-Mar-2016) and I cannot figure out how to specify multiple formats to convert. Any help would be appreciated.

Ramya1
5 - Atom

Thanks this was useful.

Mchu6la2lai
5 - Atom

Hello,


I have a similar situation to the original question. I have applied all the steps proposed including using "SELECT" tool to ensure the field is in STRING format, however, I am still getting NULL after using Dateformat function or Datetime tool. I would be most grateful if you could help me.

 

Original format:

 

DD/MM/YYYY

 

I want to convert to

 

%m-%y


Thanks


Lucy

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