How to transform a date and time in text format into a date object using DateValue()

About this article

This article explains what the DateValue() function is and provide examples of how it can be used with the binding syntax in smart templates.

What is the DateValue() function?
DateValue() function examples

Prerequisites

Library and at least one Dynamics module enabled
Templafy Desktop and Office VSTO add-in installed on the PC
Tenant admin/owner access or Space owner access

What is the DateValue() function?

DateValue() is a function used for converting plain text dates into a date object for use in other date functions such as FormatDateTime(). This function is often used for taking dates from external systems such as Salesforce and making them usable with date functions in Templafy.

DateValue() logic

Syntax	{{DateValue(DateTime,Format,Region)}}
Input	Text
Output	Date value as date type that is regionalized and formatted

DateValue() function examples

Example 1

Using DateValue() to create a date object out of text, format and region.

Binding	{{DateValue("2020/10/22","yyyy/MM/dd","en-US")}}
Input	2020-10-22 (As a date object)

Note that the date and formatting need to match (the order of day, month and year).
So {{DateValue("2020/10/22","yyyy/MM/dd","en-US")}} shown in the example above works, but {{DateValue("2020/10/22","dd/MM/yyyy","en-US")}} does not work.

Example 2

Using DateValue() to create a date object out of text, format and region.

Binding	{{DateValue("Oct 22th, 2020","MMM d'th,' yyyy","en-US")}}
Input	2020-10-22 (As a date object)

Example 3

Using DateValue() in combination with HostSystem to transform a date in text originating from an external system, and convert it to a date object.

Binding	{{DateValue(HostSystem.Date,"MMM d'th,' yyyy","en-US")}}
Input	"Oct 11th, 2020"
Output	2020-10-11 (As a date object)

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