How to convert a string to DateTime

Question

2.00/5 (1 vote)

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My system date format is 'dd.MM.yyyy'.
I want convert the string "15.05.2012" to DateTime.
When I convert this using Convert.ToDateTime("15.05.2012"), it is showing an error message 'String cannot be convert to.....'. But I could convert the string "05.15.2012" to DateTime.
How can I do this? pls help

Posted 29-May-12 0:15am

vivektp

Updated 29-May-12 0:28am

v2

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5 solutions

Solution 2

You have basically two options for this.
DateTime.Parse() and DateTime.ParseExact().

The first is very forgiving in terms of syntax and will parse dates in many different formats. It is good for user input which may come in different formats.

ParseExact will allow you to specify the exact format of your date string to use for parsing. It is good to use this if your string is always in the same format. This way, you can easily detect any deviations from the expected data.

Please refer:
Convert a String to a DateTime [^]
DateTime.Parse Method (String)[^]
Convert.ToDateTime Method (String)[^]
Similar discussion:
Convert String to DateTime Object [^]

Posted 29-May-12 0:38am

Prasad_Kulkarni

Comments

Maciej Los 29-May-12 8:19am

Good answer, my 5!
Don't forget to use CultureInfo Class to get format of the date in local system.

Prasad_Kulkarni 29-May-12 9:15am

Thank you Isomac!
5! for solution in comment ;)

Solution 3

Try This
string myDateTimeValue = "2/16/1992 12:15:12";
        DateTime myDateTime = DateTime.Parse(myDateTimeValue);

or

You can go threw this link

http://www.ezineasp.net/post/C-Convert-String-to-DateTime.aspx[^]

http://www.dotnetspider.com/forum/4879-How-convert-string-datetime-datetime-format-using-C.aspx[^]

Posted 29-May-12 0:41am

sunandandutt

Updated 29-May-12 0:43am

v3

Solution 4

C#

DateTime dateTime = DateTime.ParseExact("15.05.2012", "dd.MM.yyyy", System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);

Posted 29-May-12 2:15am

DaveyM69

Comments

VJ Reddy 31-May-12 19:58pm

Good answer. 5!

Solution 1

Try DateTime.Parse

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/1k1skd40%28v=vs.80%29.aspx[^]

C#

string date1 = "15.05.2012"; 
DateTime parsed_date= DateTime.Parse(date1);
Console.WriteLine(parsed_date.Year.ToString() + parsed_date.Month.ToString() + parsed_date.Day.ToString();

Regards

Posted 29-May-12 0:32am

El_Codero

Updated 29-May-12 0:39am

v3

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VJ Reddy · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-31T14:06:00

The Solution 4 given by DaveyM69 using DateTime.ParseExact with InvariantCulture is very good.

I want to add that, it is better to use d.M.yyyy format instead of dd.MM.yyyy format as shown below

C#

DateTime dateTime = DateTime.ParseExact("5.5.2012", "d.M.yyyy", 
                            System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);

because
dd.MM.yyyy will work if exactly two digits are given for date and month like 05.05.2012 but will throw error if one digit is given for date and / or month like 5.5.2012.

The d.M.yyyy format will work both for one digit and two digits given for the date and month. 05.05.2012 and 5.5.2012 both will be read without any error.