Format date and time with FormatDateTime()

FormatDateTime() displays a VBScript Date or time using one of five named formats. The result depends on the ASP locale and regional settings, so it is best for human-readable presentation rather than storing a canonical date string.

 Copy<%
Dim my_date, previousLocale
previousLocale = SetLocale(1033) ' English (United States)
my_date = DateSerial(2006, 7, 19) + TimeSerial(20, 38, 39)
Response.Write FormatDateTime(my_date, vbGeneralDate)
SetLocale previousLocale
%>

Under typical US English regional settings, this resembles 7/19/2006 8:38:39 PM. The exact presentation is environment-dependent, even when you choose a locale.

Syntax

FormatDateTime(date[, namedFormat])

Named format constants

Display the current date and time

 Copy<%
Dim currentDate
currentDate = Now
Response.Write FormatDateTime(currentDate, vbGeneralDate)
%>

The output is dynamic because Now uses the server’s current date and time. For predictable testing, use DateSerial() and TimeSerial().

Compare every named format

 Copy<%
Dim sampleDate, formatType
sampleDate = DateSerial(2006, 7, 19) + TimeSerial(20, 38, 39)
For formatType = 0 To 4
  Response.Write formatType & ": " & FormatDateTime(sampleDate, formatType) & "<br>"
Next
%>

The five lines correspond to general, long date, short date, long time and short time. Text output varies by server locale, so avoid hard-coding locale-dependent expected strings.

Display a full date name

 Copy<%
Dim myDate
myDate = DateSerial(2026, 11, 13)
Response.Write FormatDateTime(myDate, vbLongDate)
%>

This is appropriate for a localized page heading or confirmation message when the server’s date locale is configured as intended.

Explicitly select and restore locale

 Copy<%
Dim previousLocale, myDate
myDate = DateSerial(2026, 11, 13)
previousLocale = SetLocale(1033) ' US English
Response.Write FormatDateTime(myDate, vbLongDate)
SetLocale previousLocale
%>

Restore the previous locale when your script finishes displaying the date. Changing locale does not convert a time from one time zone to another.

Build an invariant YYYY-MM-DD string

When an exact numeric format is required—for a machine-readable field, filename or data transfer—assemble the components instead of relying on vbShortDate:

 Copy<%
Dim myDate, isoText
myDate = DateSerial(2026, 11, 13)
isoText = Year(myDate) & "-" & Right("0" & Month(myDate), 2) & "-" & _
  Right("0" & Day(myDate), 2)
Response.Write isoText
%>

2026-11-13

Show a localized time

 Copy<%
Dim sampleTime
sampleTime = DateSerial(2026, 11, 13) + TimeSerial(14, 5, 9)
Response.Write FormatDateTime(sampleTime, vbLongTime) & "<br>"
Response.Write FormatDateTime(sampleTime, vbShortTime)
%>

Use FormatDateTime() safely

Pass a valid Date value. For user-provided strings, validate and convert them first using IsDate() with awareness of locale, or construct dates from verified numeric components with DateSerial().

Frequently asked questions

Will vbShortDate always output MM/DD/YYYY?

No. Regional date formats differ. Build the required components explicitly when you need fixed numeric ordering.

How do I show only a month name?

Use MonthName(Month(myDate)).

Does SetLocale change the server time zone?

No. It changes regional interpretation and formatting, not the instant represented by the date/time value.

How do I show a weekday?

Use WeekdayName() with Weekday().

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Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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