Answered

formatDateTime error

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

I was running into this error:

Unable to process template language expressions in action 'Create_Document_Review_Reminder' inputs at line '1' and column '2264': 'In function 'formatDateTime', the value provided for date time string '24/03/2021 14:46:10' was not valid. The datetime string must match ISO 8601 format.'.

What is supposed to be the format? The column where this gets created is in a DateTime format of dd/MM/yyyy.

This is the expression that I use where Converted _time_to_NZ is the current time converted to NZ timezone.

formatDateTime(body('Converted_time_to_NZ'), 'dd/MM/yyyy')

Any ideas?

Categories:

Building flows

I have the same question (0)

All responses (8)

Answers (1)

efialttes 14,756 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi
"Converted _time_to_NZ is the current time converted to NZ timezone"
Which expression/action block did you use to convert utcNow() into NZ timezone?
Thanx!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Here is a screenshot of my flow for the Converted_time_to_NZ. Calculated time is from the Calc_Review_Date_in_International time.
This worked for dates that are 09/03/2020 and 11/03/2020. But it didn't for 24/03/2020. It seemed to be okay if it's MM/dd/yyyy.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
efialttes 14,756 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Can you try with this format instead?

Hope this helps

Hi!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

I tried that but I got the below error instead. I am thinking what other option to use aside from formatDateTime.

String was not recognized as a valid DateTime.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
v-litu-msft Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @Anonymous,

The reason for the issue will happen is caused by the formatDateTime() function recognize the first unit of the Time String is the month, so if it is greater than 12, it will report it is an invalid date.

So, you could convert the date into a format which month is in the head, for example:

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Lin Tu
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thanks I tried that but I still get the error 'String was not recognized as a valid DateTime.' The formatDateTime expression applies to the Review Due Date column as shown.

Flow capture

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

I finally managed to get it to work.

So instead of using 'dd/MM/yyyy', I switched it to 'MM/dd/yyyy' so the expression goes like this:

formatDateTime(body('Converted_time_to_NZ'), 'MM/dd/yyyy')

It finally worked. And my Review Due Date column still goes to dd/MM/yyyy format since I am using the New Zealand timezone in the site's settings.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
efialttes 14,756 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

@Anonymous

Thankx for sharing the way you finally solve the issue! I've marked it as a solution, this way other users facing a similar problem can find a solution faster.

Some extra (OPTIONAL) steps you can take:

1.-(OPTIONAL) Please note you can even select several replies as as 'Solution', even from different community members!

3.- (OPTIONAL) Click on 'Thumbs up' in any answer you found valuable.

Even though this 2nd step is OPTIONAL, please remember it is the cheapest, easiest way to say thanks to somebody that simply tried to help. And just between you and me, everytime an inspiring answer receive a kudo, an ewok escapes from The Emperor menace 😉

Thanx for making this community great!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No