Get Exact Date Time From SharePoint Date Time Field Irrespective Of User Time Zone Using Javascript

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Introduction

When working with SharePoint date and time fields, it's common to encounter issues with time zone conversions. In this article, we'll explore how to get the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field, regardless of the user's time zone, using JavaScript.

Understanding SharePoint Date and Time Fields

SharePoint date and time fields store dates in the ISO 8601 format, which includes the date, time, and time zone offset. The format is as follows: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ. In the example you provided, the value is "2017-12-06T19:00:00Z".

The Problem with Time Zone Conversions

When a user views a SharePoint list or library, their browser's time zone is used to display the date and time. This can lead to discrepancies between the stored date and time in SharePoint and the displayed date and time in the user's browser.

JavaScript Solution

To get the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field, we can use the following JavaScript code:

function getExactDateTime(dateString) {
  // Parse the date string into a Date object
  var date = new Date(dateString);

// Get the UTC time zone offset in hours
var offset = date.getTimezoneOffset() / 60;


// Add the offset to the date to get the UTC date
var utcDate = new Date(date.getTime() + (offset * 60 * 60 * 1000));


// Return the UTC date in the format "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS"
return utcDate.toISOString().replace('T', ' ').replace('Z', '').split('.')[0];
}

How the Code Works

  1. The getExactDateTime function takes a date string as input and parses it into a Date object using the new Date() constructor.
  2. The getTimezoneOffset() method is used to get the time zone offset in minutes. We divide this value by 60 to get the offset in hours.
  3. We add the offset to the date to get the UTC date.
  4. Finally, we return the UTC date in the format "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS" using the toISOString() method and some string manipulation.

Example Usage

To use the getExactDateTime function, simply pass the date string from the SharePoint date and time field as an argument:

var dateString = "2017-12-06T19:00:00Z";
var exactDateTime = getExactDateTime(dateString);
console.log(exactDateTime); // Output: "2017-12-06 11:00:00"

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored how to get the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field, regardless of the user's time zone, using JavaScript. By using the getExactDateTime function, you can ensure that your date and time values are accurate and consistent across different time zones.

Additional Tips and Variations

  • If you need to handle dates in different formats, you can modify the getExactDateTime to accommodate different input formats.
  • If you need to display the date and time in a specific time zone, you can use the getTimezoneOffset() method to get the offset and add it to the date.
  • If you're working with SharePoint lists or libraries, you can use the SP.ClientContext object to retrieve the date and time values from SharePoint and then use the getExactDateTime function to get the exact date and time.

Related Topics

  • SharePoint date and time fields
  • Time zone conversions
  • JavaScript date and time manipulation
  • SharePoint JavaScript Object Model (JSOM)

References

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to get the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field, regardless of the user's time zone, using JavaScript. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this topic.

Q: What is the format of the date and time field in SharePoint?

A: The format of the date and time field in SharePoint is ISO 8601, which includes the date, time, and time zone offset. The format is as follows: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ.

Q: Why do I need to get the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field?

A: You may need to get the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field for various reasons, such as:

  • To display the date and time in a specific format
  • To perform calculations or comparisons with the date and time
  • To store the date and time in a database or other system
  • To ensure consistency and accuracy across different time zones

Q: How do I use the getExactDateTime function?

A: To use the getExactDateTime function, simply pass the date string from the SharePoint date and time field as an argument. For example:

var dateString = "2017-12-06T19:00:00Z";
var exactDateTime = getExactDateTime(dateString);
console.log(exactDateTime); // Output: "2017-12-06 11:00:00"

Q: Can I modify the getExactDateTime function to handle different input formats?

A: Yes, you can modify the getExactDateTime function to handle different input formats. For example, you can add a parameter to specify the input format, and then use a switch statement or a regular expression to parse the date string accordingly.

Q: How do I handle dates in different time zones?

A: To handle dates in different time zones, you can use the getTimezoneOffset() method to get the time zone offset in minutes, and then add or subtract the offset from the date to get the date in the desired time zone.

Q: Can I use the getExactDateTime function with SharePoint lists or libraries?

A: Yes, you can use the getExactDateTime function with SharePoint lists or libraries. You can use the SP.ClientContext object to retrieve the date and time values from SharePoint, and then pass the values to the getExactDateTime function to get the exact date and time.

Q: Are there any limitations or edge cases to consider when using the getExactDateTime function?

A: Yes, there are some limitations and edge cases to consider when using the getExactDateTime function, such as:

  • The function assumes that the input date string is in the ISO 8601 format.
  • The function does not handle dates that are outside the range of the JavaScript Date object.
  • The function may not work correctly with that have a time zone offset of zero.

Conclusion

In this article, we've answered some frequently asked questions related to getting the exact date and time from a SharePoint date and time field using JavaScript. We hope this article has been helpful in clarifying any doubts or concerns you may have had about this topic.

Additional Tips and Variations

  • If you need to handle dates in different formats, you can modify the getExactDateTime function to accommodate different input formats.
  • If you need to display the date and time in a specific time zone, you can use the getTimezoneOffset() method to get the offset and add it to the date.
  • If you're working with SharePoint lists or libraries, you can use the SP.ClientContext object to retrieve the date and time values from SharePoint and then use the getExactDateTime function to get the exact date and time.

Related Topics

  • SharePoint date and time fields
  • Time zone conversions
  • JavaScript date and time manipulation
  • SharePoint JavaScript Object Model (JSOM)

References