# FORMAT_DATETIME

Converts a date or date and time to formatted text.

## Sample usage

`FORMAT_DATETIME("%c", Order Date)`

## Syntax

`FORMAT_DATETIME( format_string, date_expression )`

### Parameters

`format_string` - See [Supported Format Elements For DATETIME](https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/reference/standard-sql/format-elements#format_elements_date_time) for a list of format elements that this function supports.

`date_expression` - a Date or a Date \& Time field or expression.

## Return data type

Text ^1^

## Examples

| Example formula | Output |
|---|---|
| ` FORMAT_DATETIME("%x", DATE "2008-12-25") ` | 12/25/08 |
| ` FORMAT_DATETIME("%c", DATETIME "2008-12-25 15:30:00") ` | Thu Dec 25 15:30:00 2008 |
| ` FORMAT_DATETIME("%b-%d-%Y", DATETIME "2008-12-25 15:30:00") ` | Dec-25-2008 |

## Notes

This function is not available for compatibility mode date types.

1. Date strings may be interpreted as compatibility mode Date data types. To preserve the specified format, change the field type to Text.

## Related resources

- [Dates and times](https://docs.cloud.google.com/data-studio/dates-and-times)
- [Calculated fields](https://docs.cloud.google.com/data-studio/about-calculated-fields)
- [Data Studio function list](https://docs.cloud.google.com/data-studio/function-list)