MS Access Format() Function for Dates
The Format() function in MS Access allows you to customize how dates are displayed. You can use it to control the appearance of your date data, making it more readable and user-friendly in reports or other outputs.
Format(): Definition and Usage
Format() is very useful for presenting dates in a specific way. It takes a date value and a format string as input. You can also optionally specify the first day of the week and how to define the first week of the year. This is particularly helpful for generating reports or displaying formatted dates in forms or other user interfaces.
Syntax
Syntax
Format(value, format, firstdayofweek, firstweekofyear)
Parameter Values
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
value |
The date value you want to format. This is required. |
format (Optional) |
A string specifying the format. If omitted, a general date format is used. See the table below for options. |
firstdayofweek (Optional) |
Specifies the first day of the week (0: system setting, 1: Sunday, 2: Monday, etc.). Defaults to 1 (Sunday). |
firstweekofyear (Optional) |
Defines the first week of the year (0: system setting, 1: first week containing Jan 1st, 2: first week with at least 4 days, 3: first full week). Defaults to 1 (first week containing Jan 1st). |
Date Format Options
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| General Date | Displays the date based on your system's short date setting. |
| Long Date | Displays the date in the system's long date format. |
| Medium Date | Displays the date in the system's medium date format. |
| Short Date | Displays the date in the system's short date format. |
| Long Time | Displays the time in the system's long time format. |
| Medium Time | Displays the time in the system's medium time format. |
| Short Time | Displays the time in the system's short time format. |
Example
Formatting a Date as a Long Date
This example formats the 'BirthDate' column from the 'Employees' table as a long date. (Assumes an 'Employees' table exists with a 'BirthDate' column.)
Syntax
SELECT Format(BirthDate, "Long Date") AS FormattedBirthDate
FROM Employees;
Output
FormattedBirthDate
-------------------
(Birthdates formatted as long dates, according to your system's settings)