formatdatetime power automate

Introduction to formatdatetime power automate

So, you’re building automation flows and suddenly you’re stuck trying to get a date in the right format. Been there? That’s exactly where formatDateTime in Power Automate comes to the rescue.

What is Power Automate?

Power Automate, formerly known as Microsoft Flow, is a powerful tool that lets you automate repetitive tasks. Whether it’s sending emails, organizing files, or syncing data, Power Automate can do it all—without you formatdatetime power automate writing a single line of code.

Importance of Date and Time Formatting in Automation

Date and time are everywhere. You use them in email subject lines, file names, logs, notifications—you name it. And if they’re not in the right format, things can get messy fast.

Understanding the formatDateTime Function

What is formatDateTime in Power Automate?

formatDateTime is a built-in expression used to convert a date/time value into a readable or system-compatible string format.

Basic Syntax of formatDateTime

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(timestamp, format)

• timestamp: The actual datetime value.
• format: A string defining how you want the output to look.

Parameters Explained

• timestamp: This can be utcNow() or any other datetime variable.
• format: Use date/time placeholders like yyyy-MM-dd, HH:mm:ss, etc.

Common Use Cases

Displaying user-friendly dates in emails.

• Creating dynamic file names like Report_2025-04-13.xlsx.
• Updating SharePoint columns with formatted timestamps.

Using formatDateTime in Real-World Scenarios

Automating Email Time Stamps

Ever wanted your email subject to include the current date? Like this:

plaintextCopyEdit"Daily Report - " & formatDateTime(utcNow(), 'MMMM dd, yyyy')

Creating Dynamic File Names

Need to avoid overwriting files? Add a timestamp: formatdatetime power automate.

plaintextCopyEdit"Invoice_" & formatDateTime(utcNow(), 'yyyyMMdd_HHmmss') & ".pdf"

Formatting Dates for SharePoint Columns

Want to update a SharePoint item with a clean date? Easy:

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(triggerOutputs()?['headers']['x-ms-file-last-modified'], 'yyyy-MM-dd')

formatDateTime Syntax Deep Dive

Format Strings Explained

Let’s break it down:

Year (yyyy), Month (MM), Day (dd)

• yyyy – 2025
• MM – 04
• dd – 13

Hour (HH), Minute (mm), Second (ss)

• HH – 24-hour format
• mm – minutes
• ss – seconds

Timezone Adjustments

Power Automate runs on UTC, so if you’re not in UTC, use:

plaintextCopyEditconvertTimeZone(utcNow(), 'UTC', 'Pacific Standard Time')

formatDateTime Expressions and Examples

Getting Current Date and Time

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(utcNow(), 'yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss')

Customizing Output Formats

Want it fancy?

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(utcNow(), 'dddd, MMMM dd yyyy, hh:mm tt')

Result:

plaintextCopyEditSunday, April 13 2025, 04:15 PM

Combining with Other Expressions

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(addDays(utcNow(), 7), 'yyyy-MM-dd')

That gives you a date exactly a week from now.

Practical Examples for Business Automation

Invoice Generation Dates

plaintextCopyEdit"Invoice Date: " & formatDateTime(triggerOutputs()?['headers']['x-ms-received'], 'dd/MM/yyyy')

Deadline Reminders

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(addDays(utcNow(), 3), 'dddd, MMM dd')

Weekly Reports

plaintextCopyEdit"Weekly Report - Week of " & formatDateTime(utcNow(), 'MMMM dd, yyyy')

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Invalid Format Strings

Using mm instead of MM? That’ll give you minutes instead of month.

Wrong Data Types

Passing a string instead of a datetime value? Boom—error.

Timezone Confusions

Always remember: Power Automate defaults to UTC.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Conditional Date Formatting

plaintextCopyEditif(equals(dayOfWeek(utcNow()), 0), 'Weekend', 'Weekday')

Using formatDateTime in Loops

In Apply to each, use:

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(items('Apply_to_each')?['Created'], 'MM/dd/yyyy')

Nesting formatDateTime in Other Functions

plaintextCopyEditconcat('Report_', formatDateTime(utcNow(), 'yyyyMMdd'), '.csv')

formatDateTime vs Other Date Functions

toDateTime()

Converts string to datetime.

convertTimeZone()

Changes timezone of datetime.

addDays(), addHours(), subtractDays()

Manipulate date values for custom logic.

Best Practices When Using formatDateTime

Naming Conventions

Use clear variable names like formattedInvoiceDate.

Consistency in Formatting

Stick to a standard like yyyy-MM-dd across all flows.

Documentation and Maintainability

Add comments to explain why you’re using a certain format.

Troubleshooting formatDateTime Issues

Debugging Errors

Use Compose actions to test your expressions.

Handling Null or Empty Values

Use coalesce() to avoid null errors:

plaintextCopyEditformatDateTime(coalesce(triggerBody()?['startDate'], utcNow()), 'MM/dd/yyyy')

Logging and Monitoring

Log the output to email, Teams, or a SharePoint list.

Working with Different Locales

Date and Time Localization

formatDateTime doesn’t auto-localize. Combine with convertTimeZone() for accurate output.

Regional Settings in Power Automate

Make sure your environment’s regional settings align with your desired format.

Integrating formatDateTime with Other Connectors

Outlook

Add dates to subject lines or email bodies.

SharePoint

Update list items with human-readable dates. formatdatetime power automate.

Excel Online

Populate columns with formatted timestamps.

formatdatetime power automate

Pros and Cons

• Expressions: More flexible, customizable.
• Dynamic Content: Easier to use but limited.

When to Use Which

Use dynamic content for simple needs; expressions for advanced formatting.

formatdatetime power automate

If you’re working with Power Automate, learning how to use formatDateTime is non-negotiable. It brings clarity, consistency, and control to your workflows. From email automations to system logs, it’s a small tool that makes a big difference.

Master it, and your flows will look more professional and work more reliably—guaranteed.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between utcNow() and formatDateTime()?
utcNow() returns the current datetime in UTC. formatDateTime() formats that value into a readable string.

2. How do I get the current time in a specific timezone?
Use convertTimeZone(utcNow(), 'UTC', 'Eastern Standard Time').

3. Can I use formatDateTime inside a switch or condition?
Yes, it works perfectly in expressions within conditions or switch statements.

4. What happens if the date value is null?
It will throw an error. Use coalesce() to provide a fallback.

5. Is it possible to combine formatDateTime with variables?
Absolutely. You can pass any datetime variable to formatDateTime.