Converts a set of input date/time attributes from one format to another, in place. The input can contain a date, a time (with or without UTC offset), a datetime (with or without UTC offset), or a Unix epoch time.
Typical Uses
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Converting dates and times between formats
How does it work?
DateTimeConverter can be used to convert date/time values into Standard FME Date/Time Format, and convert standard FME date/time values in a destination format.
DateTimeConverter uses @DateTimeParse() and @DateTimeFormat() underneath the cover. @DateTimeParse() is used to parse an input value, and @DateTimeFormat() is used to format an output value.
Note: Input Format and Output Format presets can be used for date/time validation. For example, by setting both input and output format strings to "FME", non-FME datetime values will be rejected by DateTimeConverter. Repair Overflow allows leap seconds and other overflow parts to be rolled forward.
Configuration
Input Ports
Input
This transformer accepts any feature.
Output Ports
Output
Selected attributes on the input features will be converted from the Input Format to the Output Format.
Note: Feature order may change in relation to other output ports. Feature order per port is maintained.
Parameters
General
| Datetime Attributes |
Select one or more attributes that contain date/time values. |
| Input Format |
Specify a format string inline, or specify an attribute that contains a format string. There are several presets to choose from. For information on the presets <Auto detect FME and ISO formats>, FME (auto detect), and ISO (auto detect), please see format flag documentation for "FME" and "ISO". |
| Output Format |
Specify a format string inline, or specify an attribute that contains a format string. There are several presets to choose from. For information on the presets FME (auto format), and ISO (auto format), please see format flag documentation for "FME" and "ISO". |
| Repair Overflow |
If set to Yes, overflow date/time parts such as leap seconds will be rolled forward. For example, 2017-02-29 would be repaired into 2017-03-01. If set to No, input containing overflow date/time parts will be rejected. For details, please see "repair" mode in @DateTimeParse() documentation. |
| Passthrough nulls, empties, or missing |
If this parameter is No, any attributes specified in Datetime Attributes that are null, missing or have an empty value will result in the feature being rejected. If this parameter is Yes, then any null, missing, or empty attributes will be left unchanged and will not cause the feature to be rejected. |
Note that using string formatting functions (such as @LowerCase()) in a date format string may produce unexpected results and is not recommended.
Preview
The Preview pane shows either sample input and output for the given Input/Output Format strings, or an error message on why the conversion would fail. When Input Data is not specified, sample input is generated from the current timestamp
| Input Data |
A date/time value. The Preview pane is updated as the Input Data value is entered. When Input Data is unspecified, the current timestamp is used as the default value for Input Data. |
The preview feature does not work when the Input Format or the Output Format field is specified from an attribute.
Quick Reference
A brief documentation of all the supported format flags for Input Format and Output Format.
Editing Transformer Parameters
Using a set of menu options, transformer parameters can be assigned by referencing other elements in the workspace. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers. To access a menu of these options, click 
beside the applicable parameter. For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.
Defining Values
There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters. There are a number of tools and shortcuts that can assist in constructing values, generally available from the drop-down context menu adjacent to the value field.
How to Set Parameter Values
Using the Text Editor
The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Using the Arithmetic Editor
The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.
Conditional Values
Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.
Parameter Condition Definition Dialog
Content
Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more.
When setting values - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors - strings and expressions containing String, Math, Date/Time or FME Feature Functions will have those functions evaluated. Therefore, the names of these functions (in the form @<function_name>) should not be used as literal string values.
Content Types
| These functions manipulate and format strings. | |
|
Special Characters |
A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor. |
| Math functions are available in both editors. | |
| Date/Time Functions | Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor. |
| These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor. | |
| These return primarily feature-specific values. | |
| FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used. | |
| Creating and Modifying User Parameters | Create your own editable parameters. |
Dialog Options - Tables
Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.
Table Tools
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Row Reordering
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Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
|
|
Cut, Copy, and Paste
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Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers. |
|
Filter
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Start typing a string, and the matrix will only display rows matching those characters. Searches all columns. This only affects the display of attributes within the transformer - it does not alter which attributes are output. |
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Import
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Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers. |
|
Reset/Refresh
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Generally resets the table to its initial state, and may provide additional options to remove invalid entries. Behavior varies between transformers. |
Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.
Reference
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Processing Behavior |
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|
Feature Holding |
No |
| Dependencies | None |
| Aliases |
DateConverter DateFormatter DateParser DateTimeFormatConverter DateTimeFormatter DateTimeParser DateTimeValidator DateValidator |
| History |
FME Community
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