ABAP String to Date: Conversion Techniques and Best Practices

Converting String to Date in SAP ABAP

In SAP ABAP, converting a string (STRING or CHAR) to a date (DATS) requires parsing and formatting, as ABAP does not automatically recognize string-based dates.

1. Using `CONVERT DATE` (Recommended for Standard Formats)

If the string is in YYYYMMDD format, you can directly convert it:

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE '20250302',  " YYYYMMDD format
      lv_date   TYPE d.

lv_date = lv_string.

WRITE: lv_date.  " Output: 02.03.2025 (formatted automatically)

Works only for YYYYMMDD format.
ABAP automatically formats the output.

2. Using `CONVERT DATE` for Different Formats

If the date format is not YYYYMMDD, use CONVERT DATE:

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE '02.03.2025',  " DD.MM.YYYY format
      lv_date   TYPE d.

CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_INPUT'
  EXPORTING
    input  = lv_string
  IMPORTING
    output = lv_date.

WRITE: lv_date.  " Output: 02.03.2025

This function handles various date formats automatically.
Works for user-defined formats like DD/MM/YYYY, MM-DD-YYYY, etc.

3. Using `DATE_CONVERT_TO_INTERNAL` (Flexible Formatting)

For different input formats like DD/MM/YYYY, use DATE_CONVERT_TO_INTERNAL:

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE '02/03/2025',
      lv_date   TYPE d,
      lv_result TYPE sy-subrc.

CALL FUNCTION 'DATE_CONVERT_TO_INTERNAL'
  EXPORTING
    date_external = lv_string
  IMPORTING
    date_internal = lv_date
  EXCEPTIONS
    OTHERS        = 1.

IF lv_result = 0.
  WRITE: lv_date.  " Output: 02.03.2025
ELSE.
  WRITE: 'Invalid date format'.
ENDIF.

Converts various external formats (DD/MM/YYYY, MM-DD-YYYY, etc.).
Ensures date validation.

4. Using `SCAN` to Extract Date from a String

If a date is embedded in a larger string, extract it first:

DATA: lv_text TYPE string VALUE 'Order date: 02/03/2025',
      lv_date TYPE d.

FIND FIRST OCCURRENCE OF REGEX '\d{2}/\d{2}/\d{4}' IN lv_text MATCH OFFSET DATA(lv_offset) MATCH LENGTH DATA(lv_length).

IF sy-subrc = 0.
  lv_date = lv_text+lv_offset(lv_length).  " Extract and assign date
ENDIF.

WRITE: lv_date.  " Output: 02.03.2025

Uses regular expressions (REGEX) to extract a date.
Works when the date is part of a larger text.

5. Handling Invalid Dates

Always validate before conversion:

DATA: lv_string TYPE string VALUE '32/03/2025',  " Invalid day
      lv_date   TYPE d.

CALL FUNCTION 'DATE_CHECK_PLAUSIBILITY'
  EXPORTING
    date          = lv_string
  IMPORTING
    plausibility  = sy-subrc.

IF sy-subrc = 0.
  WRITE: 'Valid Date'.
ELSE.
  WRITE: 'Invalid Date!'.
ENDIF.

Ensures the date is valid before conversion.

🚀 Summary: Best Methods to Convert String to Date

Method	Use Case
`lv_date = lv_string`	Works only for YYYYMMDD format
`CONVERT_DATE_INPUT`	Handles user-defined formats
`DATE_CONVERT_TO_INTERNAL`	Converts DD/MM/YYYY, MM-DD-YYYY, etc.
`REGEX` (`FIND FIRST OCCURRENCE`)	Extracts date from a longer string
`DATE_CHECK_PLAUSIBILITY`	Checks if the date is valid

1. Using CONVERT DATE (Recommended for Standard Formats)

2. Using CONVERT DATE for Different Formats