# ParseDate (Formats, Str)

| **Name**    | ***ParseDate***                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Syntax      | ParseDate (Unknown formats, String str)                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Purpose     | To parse a date based on a specified format.                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Description | Returns a date time value if the value was successfully parsed. Otherwise returns an error. This function successively applies specified formats and returns date time value if date is parsed using any of the specified formats. |
| Return Type | DateTime                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Parameters  | <p>formats \[Astera.Functions.DateFormats]</p><p>str \[System.String] – String to be converted</p>                                                                                                                                 |

![](https://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/0%20\(17\).png)

**Example**

We have an *Orders* dataset with a *ShippedDate* field.

<figure><img src="https://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/1%20(18).png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In this example, we will map this field to the string input of the function transformation object. We will also pass a specific date time format, to match the date format of the *ShippedDate* field, to the *Format1* field in the function transformation object using a *Variables* object.

Where,

*Format1* = dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss tt

<figure><img src="https://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/2%20(18).png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In the output window, you can see values from the *ShippedDate* field have been successfully parsed by the function transformation object, as the provided date time format has been matched.

![](https://github.com/astera-software/Astera_Data_Stack_v9/blob/main/.gitbook/assets/3%20\(12\).png)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://documentation.astera.com/astera-data-stack-v8/functions/conversion/parsedate-formats-str.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.