Date Formatting in SQL Server

Hello Dev, are you looking for a comprehensive guide to date formatting in SQL Server? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the various date formatting options available in SQL Server and how to use them effectively. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into date formatting in SQL Server.

What is Date Formatting?

Date formatting refers to the process of converting a date or time value into a specific format. In SQL Server, there are various date and time formats that you can use to display or store date and time values. The format you choose will depend on the requirements of your application or database. Let’s explore some of the most commonly used date formats in SQL Server.

Standard Date Formats

SQL Server provides several standard date formats that you can use in your queries or stored procedures. These include:

Format	Description
mm/dd/yyyy	Month/Day/Year
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss	Year-Month-Day Hour:Minute:Second
dd mmm yyyy hh:mm:ss	Day Month Year Hour:Minute:Second

These standard date formats can be used in the CONVERT() function to convert a date or time value into a specific format. For example:

SELECT CONVERT(varchar(10), GETDATE(), 101) AS 'mm/dd/yyyy';

This query will return the current system date in the format mm/dd/yyyy.

Custom Date Formats

If the standard date formats do not meet your requirements, you can create your own custom date formats using the DATEFORMAT function. This function allows you to specify a custom format string that defines how the date or time value should be displayed. For example:

SELECT CONVERT(varchar(20), GETDATE(), 'Month dd, yyyy') AS 'Custom Format';

This query will return the current system date in the format Month dd, yyyy (e.g. December 31, 2021).

Formatting Date and Time Values

In SQL Server, you can format both date and time values using the various date and time formats available. Let’s explore some examples of how to format date and time values in SQL Server.

Formatting Dates

To format a date value in SQL Server, you can use the CONVERT() function with the appropriate format string. For example:

SELECT CONVERT(varchar(10), GETDATE(), 101) AS 'mm/dd/yyyy';

This query will return the current system date in the format mm/dd/yyyy.

You can also use the FORMAT() function to format date values. The FORMAT() function allows you to specify a custom format string that defines how the date should be displayed. For example:

SELECT FORMAT(GETDATE(), 'MMMM dd, yyyy') AS 'Custom Format';

This query will return the current system date in the format Month dd, yyyy (e.g. December 31, 2021).

Formatting Times

To format a time value in SQL Server, you can use the CONVERT() function with the appropriate format string. For example:

SELECT CONVERT(varchar(8), GETDATE(), 108) AS 'hh:mm:ss';

This query will return the current system time in the format hh:mm:ss.

You can also use the FORMAT() function to format time values. The FORMAT() function allows you to specify a custom format string that defines how the time should be displayed. For example:

SELECT FORMAT(GETDATE(), 'hh:mm:ss tt') AS 'Custom Format';

This query will return the current system time in the format hh:mm:ss AM/PM (e.g. 11:59:59 PM).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I convert a string to a date in SQL Server?

To convert a string to a date in SQL Server, you can use the CONVERT() function with the appropriate format string. For example:

SELECT CONVERT(datetime, '2021-12-31', 101) AS 'Date';

This query will convert the string ‘2021-12-31’ to a date value in the format mm/dd/yyyy.

Q. What is the default date format in SQL Server?

The default date format in SQL Server is determined by the language setting of the server. The default date format for US English is mm/dd/yyyy.

Q. What is the difference between DATE and DATETIME in SQL Server?

The DATE data type in SQL Server stores only date values (without the time component), while the DATETIME data type stores both date and time values.

Q. How do I add or subtract days from a date in SQL Server?

To add or subtract days from a date in SQL Server, you can use the DATEADD() function. For example:

SELECT DATEADD(day, 7, GETDATE()) AS 'Next Week';

This query will return the date value that is 7 days after the current system date.

Q. How do I get the current date and time in SQL Server?

To get the current date and time in SQL Server, you can use the GETDATE() function. For example:

SELECT GETDATE() AS 'Current Date and Time';

This query will return the current system date and time.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the various date formatting options available in SQL Server and how to use them effectively. By understanding the different date and time formats and functions, you can easily format date and time values to meet the specific requirements of your application or database. We hope this guide has been helpful to you in your SQL Server development journey.