---
title: "system.dataset.formatDates"
description: "Returns a new dataset with Date columns as strings formatted according to the dateFormat specified."
---

# system.dataset.formatDates

> Returns a new dataset with Date columns as strings formatted according to the dateFormat specified.

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](projects\project-properties\project-properties.md#client---permissions) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.dataset.formatDates(dataset, dateFormat, locale)`

### Parameters
Type | Parameter | Description 
------- | ------- | ------
Dataset |  `dataset` | The starting dataset.
String  | `dateFormat` | A valid Java DateFormat string such as "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss". See system.date.format for more information on the valid characters.
Locale  | `locale` | The Locale to use for formatting. The Locale object is actually any of Java's Locales, which can be found here. The java Locale library must be imported, and the Locale must be defined in all caps. See the second example below for an idea of how that works. If no Locale is specified, the default Locale will be used. [optional]

### Returns
**Dataset** - A new dataset, containing the formatted dates.

### Scope
All

## Code Examples
```python title="Example 1"
# This example takes the dataset from a table component and formats the dates to look like Fri, Jan 22, 2018.
  
data = event.source.parent.getComponent('Table').data
formattedData = system.dataset.formatDates(data, "EEE, MMM d, yyyy")
```

```python title="Example 2"
# This example formats the date similarly to the last example, but uses the Italian Locale, which causes the dates to be formatted with the Locale.
  
from java.util import Locale
 
data = event.source.parent.getComponent('Table').data
locale = Locale.ITALY
formattedDataFr = system.dataset.formatDates(data, "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss", locale)
```