SAP ABAP Date Conversion: Formatting Dates for User Display

SAP ABAP Date Formatting

SAP stores dates in YYYYMMDD (DATS type), but you can format them as DD/MM/YYYY, MM-DD-YYYY, or any other format using different methods.

1. Convert Date to Different Formats (WRITE Statement)

You can use the WRITE statement with formatting options.

DATA: lv_date TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_date_txt TYPE char10.

lv_date = sy-datum.  " Current date

WRITE lv_date TO lv_date_txt DD/MM/YYYY.  " Format as DD/MM/YYYY
WRITE: 'Formatted Date:', lv_date_txt.

✅ Simple & effective ✅ Supports different formats like MM/DD/YYYY, YYYY-MM-DD

Other formats using `WRITE`

WRITE lv_date TO lv_date_txt MM/DD/YYYY.  " 03/07/2025
WRITE lv_date TO lv_date_txt YYYY-MM-DD.  " 2025-03-07
WRITE lv_date TO lv_date_txt DD.MM.YYYY.  " 07.03.2025

2. Convert Date to String Using Function Module

If you need custom formats, use the function module CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL.

DATA: lv_date       TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_formatted  TYPE char10.

lv_date = sy-datum.

CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL'
  EXPORTING
    date_internal = lv_date
  IMPORTING
    date_external = lv_formatted.

WRITE: 'Formatted Date:', lv_formatted.

✅ Uses user-specific date format (based on SAP settings)

3. Using `CL_ABAP_DATFM` Class (Newer Approach)

For a modern approach, use the class CL_ABAP_DATFM.

DATA: lv_date       TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_formatted  TYPE string.

lv_date = sy-datum.

lv_formatted = cl_abap_datfm=>format_date(
                EXPORTING
                  date = lv_date
                  format = 'DD/MM/YYYY'  " Change to needed format
                ).

WRITE: 'Formatted Date:', lv_formatted.

✅ Supports multiple formats ✅ Good for dynamic formatting

4. Convert String to SAP Date (`YYYYMMDD`)

If you have a date string like "07/03/2025" and need it in SAP format (YYYYMMDD), use CONVERT_DATE_TO_INTERNAL.

DATA: lv_date_txt   TYPE char10,
      lv_date       TYPE sy-datum.

lv_date_txt = '07/03/2025'.  " DD/MM/YYYY format

CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_TO_INTERNAL'
  EXPORTING
    date_external = lv_date_txt
  IMPORTING
    date_internal = lv_date.

WRITE: 'SAP Date:', lv_date.  " Output: 20250307

✅ Useful when importing dates from external sources

5. Display Date in User-Specific Format

SAP users can have different date formats based on their settings (e.g., US users use MM/DD/YYYY, European users use DD.MM.YYYY).

Use:

WRITE lv_date USING EDIT MASK '__/__/____'.

✅ Displays based on user preferences

Best Method to Use?

Scenario	Recommended Method
Format as `DD/MM/YYYY`, `MM/DD/YYYY`, etc.	`WRITE ... TO ...`
Convert SAP date to user-friendly format	`CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL`
Convert user input to SAP date (`YYYYMMDD`)	`CONVERT_DATE_TO_INTERNAL`
Use modern approach	`CL_ABAP_DATFM=>FORMAT_DATE`