DATE_FORMAT()

All functions > DATE AND TIME > DATE_FORMAT()

Returns a string from the given date or timestamp and format.

Signatures

Returns: A formatted string representation of the date or timestamp

DATE_FORMAT(timestamp: DATE | TIMESTAMP, format: VARCHAR) → VARCHAR
sql
ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
timestamp`DATETIMESTAMP`Yes
formatVARCHARYesThe format string (e.g., '%Y-%m-%d')

Notes

  • Formats date or timestamp according to the specified format string
  • Placeholders are interpreted by the execution target (often strftime-like, e.g. %Y, %m)
  • Useful for custom date/time string representations
  • Token spelling can differ between targets — consult the backend's formatting reference for edge cases
  • Common patterns: '%Y-%m-%d' for date, '%H:%M:%S' for time (note: time components are zero for DATE inputs)

Aliases

  • STRFTIME

Examples

Date inputs

FeatureQL
SELECT
    f1 := DATE_FORMAT(DATE '2024-03-15', '%Y-%m-%d'), -- Format a date as ISO string
    f2 := DATE_FORMAT(DATE '2024-03-15', '%Y/%m/%d') -- Custom separator
;
Result
f1 VARCHARf2 VARCHAR
2024-03-152024/03/15

Timestamp inputs — common patterns

FeatureQL
SELECT
    f1 := DATE_FORMAT(FROM_ISO8601_TIMESTAMP('2024-03-15T10:30:45'), '%Y-%m-%d'), -- Date-only slice
    f2 := DATE_FORMAT(FROM_ISO8601_TIMESTAMP('2024-03-15T10:30:45'), '%H:%M:%S'), -- Time-only slice
    f3 := DATE_FORMAT(FROM_ISO8601_TIMESTAMP('2024-03-15T10:30:45'), '%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S') -- Combined date and time in one string
;
Result
f1 VARCHARf2 VARCHARf3 VARCHAR
2024-03-1510:30:452024-03-15 10:30:45

Edge cases

FeatureQL
SELECT
    f1 := DATE_FORMAT(FROM_ISO8601_TIMESTAMP('2024-03-15T10:30:45'), '%Y-W%V') -- ISO week-style token (`%V`); week boundaries depend on the execution target
;
Result
f1 VARCHAR
2024-W11

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Last update at: 2026/05/26 17:22:09