Convert.ToDateTime: how to set format

Question

I use convert like:

Convert.ToDateTime(value)

but i need convert date to format like "mm/yy".
I'm looking for something like this:

var format = "mm/yy";
Convert.ToDateTime(value, format)

`DateTime` objects don't have a format defined. You can output the DataTime in a format, is that what you mean? — Ash Burlaczenko, Mar 04 '13 at 14:15

score 24 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 04 '13 at 14:15

24

You should probably use either DateTime.ParseExact or DateTime.TryParseExact instead. They allow you to specify specific formats. I personally prefer the Try-versions since I think they produce nicer code for the error cases.

answered Mar 04 '13 at 14:15

Fredrik Mörk

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datetime.paeseExact("12/12", "mm/yy", Cul..)={01/01/2012 00:12:00}; – Refael Mar 04 '13 at 14:40
but i expect {01/12/12} or {12/12} – Refael Mar 04 '13 at 14:40
1

@Refael you need to read up on [Custom Date and Time Format Strings](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8kb3ddd4.aspx). `mm` is minutes, `MM` is years. – Fredrik Mörk Mar 04 '13 at 14:55
4

I think you mean `MM` is _Months_ – crthompson May 06 '14 at 22:51

MarcinJuraszek · Answer 2 · 2013-03-04T15:45:56.460

15

If value is a string in that format and you'd like to convert it into a DateTime object, you can use DateTime.ParseExact static method:

DateTime.ParseExact(value, format, CultureInfo.CurrentCulture);

Example:

string value = "12/12";
var myDate = DateTime.ParseExact(value, "MM/yy", System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, System.Globalization.DateTimeStyles.None);

Console.WriteLine(myDate.ToShortDateString());

Result:

2012-12-01

edited Mar 04 '13 at 15:45

answered Mar 04 '13 at 14:15

MarcinJuraszek

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i try this: string value = "12/12"; format = "mm/yy"; then datetime.paeseExact(value, format, Cul..) = return {01/01/2012 00:12:00}. why ? – Refael Mar 04 '13 at 14:28
So `DateTime.ParseExact(value, "mm/yy", CultureInfo.CurrentCulture);` should work. – MarcinJuraszek Mar 04 '13 at 14:29
i expect to {01/12/12} or {12/12} – Refael Mar 04 '13 at 14:35

score 2 · Answer 3 · edited Apr 23 '15 at 13:38

2

DateTime doesn't have a format. the format only applies when you're turning a DateTime into a string, which happens implicitly you show the value on a form, web page, etc.

Look at where you're displaying the DateTime and set the format there (or amend your question if you need additional guidance).

edited Apr 23 '15 at 13:38

Jhonny D. Cano -Leftware-

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answered Mar 04 '13 at 14:20

D Stanley

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score 1 · Answer 4 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:47

1

You can use Convert.ToDateTime is it is shown at How to convert a Datetime string to a current culture datetime string

DateTimeFormatInfo usDtfi = new CultureInfo("en-US", false).DateTimeFormat;

var result = Convert.ToDateTime("12/01/2011", usDtfi)

edited May 23 '17 at 11:47

Community

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answered Jun 29 '16 at 01:08

Michael Freidgeim

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jomsk1e · Answer 5 · 2013-03-04T21:36:13.200

0

How about this:

    string test = "01-12-12";
    try{
         DateTime dateTime = DateTime.Parse(test);
         test = dateTime.ToString("dd/yyyy");
    }
    catch (FormatException exc)
    {
        MessageBox.Show(exc.Message);
    }

Where test will be equal to "12/2012"

Hope it helps!

Please read HERE.

edited Mar 04 '13 at 21:36

answered Mar 04 '13 at 21:30

jomsk1e

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Convert.ToDateTime: how to set format

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