---
title: "Convert Date Time To Text Step"
url: "https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/convert-date-time-to-text-step"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-12-24T14:57:51.825Z"
---

# Convert Date Time To Text Step

he Convert Date Time To Text step changes a date and time variable into a text string. You can set the exact format of the output text. Use this step when you need to show a date or time in a certain way, or when you need to send date information as text to another system.

## How to Use Convert Date Time To Text

This step turns a `datetime` variable into a `string` variable.

### Step 1: Add the Step

1.  Drag the **Convert Date Time To Text** step into your process.
2.  (Optional) Give the step a custom name in the **Step name** field.

### Step 2: Set Up Input Parameters

1.  **Source datetime variable** (Required)
    -   Type the name of an existing `datetime` variable. This is the date and time you want to change.
2.  **Date format** (Required)
    -   Type the format you want for the output text.
    -   **Example:** `dd.MM.yyyy` will make a date look like `21.03.2023`.
    -   You can use standard or custom formats.

### Step 3: Set Up Output Parameters

1.  **Destination text variable** (Required)
    -   Type a name for the new `string` variable that will hold the converted date and time.
    -   You can also pick an existing `string` variable to update its value.

## Parameters Explained

**Step name** (Optional)

-   A custom name for this step in your process.

**Source datetime variable** (Required)

-   The `datetime` variable you want to change.
-   **Example:** `myDateTimeVariable`
-   **When to use it:** Always provide the `datetime` variable that has the original date and time.

**Date format** (Required)

-   Shows how the `datetime` value will look as text.
-   **Example:** `MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss` for `03/21/2023 14:30:00`
-   **When to use it:** Tell it the exact format you need for the output string.

**Destination text variable** (Required)

-   The `string` variable where the changed date and time will be saved.
-   **Example:** `formattedDateString`
-   **When to use it:** Always provide a variable name to hold the result.

## Important Things to Know About Date Formats

When you use a custom format, be careful with characters that have a special meaning in date formatting. These characters will be replaced by their date or time values, even if they are part of your custom text.

**Example:**

-   If you use the format `"day: d"`
-   The output might look like `"21a25: 21"`
-   This happens because `d` means day, and `y` means a short year. The `y` in "day" is read as part of the date format.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/76429697-0405-4978-9cc1-e0b5674a7623)

**Additional comment**

You can use either standard or custom formats to convert dates, times, or parts of them.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/a5defc68-c627-4999-9da0-9e7e27e5a58a)

When using a custom format, you can integrate it with other text, but you need to be cautious. Each character that holds a specific meaning will be replaced by the corresponding value of the date or time. For example, in the format "day: d" the output might appear as "21a25: 21" because "d" stands for day and "y" stands for short year. Even within your custom text, these characters will be substituted with their respective date values.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/b27adfb4-5fcf-47e3-bbfb-8b1396a31ebc)

## Related Articles

-   [Convert Text To Date Time Step](https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/convert-text-to-date-time-step)
-   [Define Variable Step - Robotiq.ai Help Center](https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/define-variable-step)
-   [Set Variable Value Step - Robotiq.ai Help Center](https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/set-variable-value-step)

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