Get short date for System Nullable datetime (datetime ?) in C#

Question

How to get short date for Get short date for System Nullable datetime (datetime ?)

for ed 12/31/2013 12:00:00 --> only should return 12/31/2013.

I don't see the ToShortDateString available.

OP - Always remember that when using generics the underlying class's methods are available if you are able to expose the underlying class. In this case using the `.Value` method of `System.Nullable` Take a look at my answer for further reference. — JNYRanger, Sep 24 '13 at 13:11

score 117 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:00

117

You need to use .Value first (Since it's nullable).

var shortString = yourDate.Value.ToShortDateString();

But also check that yourDate has a value:

if (yourDate.HasValue) {
   var shortString = yourDate.Value.ToShortDateString();
}

answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:00

Darren

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And check if `yourDate.HasValue` first. – Corak Sep 24 '13 at 13:01

score 22 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:08

22

string.Format("{0:d}", dt); works:

DateTime? dt = (DateTime?)DateTime.Now;
string dateToday = string.Format("{0:d}", dt);

Demo

If the DateTime? is null this returns an empty string.

Note that the "d" custom format specifier is identical to ToShortDateString.

answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:08

Tim Schmelter

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This should be the accepted answer because it can handle null values gracefully. Optionally you could use string interpolation - DateTime? dt = (DateTime?)DateTime.Now; string dateToday = $"{dt:d}" – Chris M. Nov 07 '16 at 18:00

JNYRanger · Answer 3 · 2013-09-24T13:07:43.837

8

That function is absolutely available within the DateTime class. Please refer to the MSDN documentation for the class: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.datetime.toshortdatestring.aspx

Since Nullable is a generic on top of the DateTime class you will need to use the .Value property of the DateTime? instance to call the underlying class methods as seen below:

DateTime? date;
String shortDateString;
shortDateString = date.Value.ToShortDateString();

Just be aware that if you attempt this while date is null an exception will be thrown.

edited Sep 24 '13 at 13:07

answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:01

JNYRanger

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`DateTime != DateTime?` (`Nullable`). – Corak Sep 24 '13 at 13:02
@Corak aware of that, but since nullable is technically a generic you can still utulize the underlying class's methods. I should have added that you do need to use the Value property though to use the underlying class methods. I'll edit my post to make it more clear. – JNYRanger Sep 24 '13 at 13:04

score 6 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:05

If you want to be guaranteed to have a value to display, you can use GetValueOrDefault() in conjunction with the ToShortDateString method that other postelike this:

yourDate.GetValueOrDefault().ToShortDateString();

This will show 01/01/0001 if the value happened to be null.

Muhammad Umar · Answer 5 · 2013-09-24T13:15:22.507

1

Check if it has value, then get required date

if (nullDate.HasValue)
{
     nullDate.Value.ToShortDateString();
}

edited Sep 24 '13 at 13:15

answered Sep 24 '13 at 13:05

Muhammad Umar

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score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Aug 16 '16 at 09:49

1

Try

    if (nullDate.HasValue)
    {
         nullDate.Value.ToShortDateString();
    }

answered Aug 16 '16 at 09:49

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Nov 16 '17 at 08:17

If you are using .cshtml then you can use as

<td>@(item.InvoiceDate==null?"":DateTime.Parse(item.YourDate.ToString()).ToShortDateString())</td>

or if you try to find short date in action or method in c# then

yourDate.GetValueOrDefault().ToShortDateString();

And is already answered above by Steve.

I have shared this as i used in my project. it works fine. Thank you.

Get short date for System Nullable datetime (datetime ?) in C#

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