Help converting a string date to a DateTime

Question

I'm using the Ajax control toolkit calendar extender on a textbox with a submit button. Simple.

The debugger shows that the text is properly being transferred to calling method, but this line of conversion code converts textbox text to 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM. The text box date is this: 4/15/2011

DateTime txtMyDate = Convert.ToDateTime(txtDate.Text);

What am I doing wrong?

So, what do you want is a DateTime value that holds a date only ?! — Akram Shahda
– Akram Shahda, Commented May 11, 2011 at 21:19

Community · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-08 17:05:34Z

12

You should use the DateTime.Parse() method:

DateTime txtMyDate = DateTime.Parse(txtDate.Text);

As mentioned you can also use DateTime.ParseExact() using a similar syntax as shown:

DateTime txtMyDate = DateTime.ParseExact(txtDate.Text, 
                                         [string format], 
                                         [IFormatProvider provider]);

Parse vs ParseExact:

Parse() - assumes the data is valid and does its best to fit it into the type, forcing things that seem vaguely ridiculous when a developer has a chance to invoke common sense.

ParseExact() - only allows the exact format specified and will throw on any variation.

Source on Parse vs ParseExact

edited Oct 8, 2014 at 17:05

CommunityBot

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answered May 11, 2011 at 21:03

Rion Williams

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4 Comments

dandan78 Over a year ago

Weirdly, MSDN says that Convert.ToDateTime(string) actually calls DateTime.Parse(), so I'm kinda curious as to why calling DateTime.Parse() directly would work if Convert.ToDateTime() didn't.

Rion Williams Over a year ago

You are still receiving 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM as your DateTime? If that is occurring then it is probably an issue with the data not being passed in properly or a value isn't being set.

The Muffin Man Over a year ago

yes it was my fault. As both this answer and Matt Greer's answer is correct, I am choosing this one as it explains the difference between Parse and ParseExact.

bonCodigo Over a year ago

Will any of this work without using System.Globalization; namespace? ;)

Akram Shahda · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-02 22:29:06Z

6

There are many ways to convert text to a DateTime, try this one:

DateTime txtMyDate = 
  DateTime.ParseExact(txtDate.Text, "M/d/yyyy", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);

Edit: forgot the culture info argument

edited Jun 2, 2011 at 22:29

Akram Shahda

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answered May 11, 2011 at 21:03

Matt Greer

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2 Comments

The Muffin Man Over a year ago

This wants an IFormatProvider for its third argument.

Matt Greer Over a year ago

@Nick - yeah I realized I was missing it, edited it in. Thanks.

Akram Shahda · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-11 21:03:43Z

1

Use DateTime.ParseExact to extract your date value from a formated date string:

DateTime dateValue = 
   DateTime.ParseExact(stringDateValue, "M/d/yyyy", 
        CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);

answered May 11, 2011 at 21:03

Akram Shahda

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Comments

Nicholas Carey · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-11 21:05:35Z

0

Try

DateTime instance = DateTime.Parse( txtDate.Text ) ;

which is [somewhat] flexible about what it will accept. Alternatively, DateTime.ParseExact() will give you move control over the conversion.

answered May 11, 2011 at 21:05

Nicholas Carey

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