Converting formatted strings into DateTime objects in Flutter is essential for managing date and time data in your applications. This guide explores various methods to achieve this conversion using Dart’s inbuilt functions, milliseconds and microseconds epoch, and the intl package, ensuring accurate and efficient date-time handling.
Table of Contents
In Dart, there is a datatype called DateTime which is used to handle date and time. It comes with multiple inbuilt functions that provide various details like the current date and time. In this guide, we will learn how to convert a formatted string into a DateTime object in Dart. We will also look into different methods to change the format of DateTime for better understanding of date, month, year, etc. While converting a DateTime object into a string is straightforward, converting a string into a DateTime object is slightly more complex.
Note: Not every string can be converted into a DateTime object; the string must be related to date and time.
Methods to Convert String to DateTime Flutter Datatypes
We have three methods to achieve this conversion:
Method 1: Using Inbuilt Method
Dart provides an inbuilt method DateTime.parse() to convert a formatted string into a DateTime object. Here are some examples:
void main() {
// DateTime.parse("your_string_you_want_to_change")
// Example 1:
print(DateTime.parse("2012-02-27 13:27:00"));
// Example 2:
print(DateTime.parse("20230811"));
}Output:
2012-02-27 13:27:00.000
2023-08-11 00:00:00.000Strings that can be converted using the above function:
- “2012-02-28 13:27:00”
- “2012-02-27 13:27:00.123456789z”
- “2012-02-27 13:27:00,123456789z”
- “20120227 13:27:00”
- “20120227T132700”
- “20120227”
- “+20120227”
- “2012-02-27T14Z”
- “2012-02-27T14+00:00”
- “-123450101 00:00:00 Z”: in the year -12345.
- “2002-02-27T14:00:00-0500”
- “2002-02-27T19:00:00Z”
Disadvantage:
This method can convert only a limited number of formatted strings.
Method 2: Using Milliseconds and Microseconds Epoch
You can convert integers representing milliseconds and microseconds since the Unix epoch to DateTime objects using the following methods:
void main() {
// DateTime.fromMicrosecondsSinceEpoch(integer_you_want_to_change_into_datetime);
// DateTime.fromMillisecondsSinceEpoch(integer_you_want_to_change_into_datetime);
// Example 1:
print(DateTime.fromMillisecondsSinceEpoch(1691732035256));
print(DateTime.fromMicrosecondsSinceEpoch(1691732011600000));
}Output:
2023-08-11 11:03:55.256
2023-08-11 11:03:31.600Disadvantage:
This method can only convert integer values with up to 13 digits.
Method 3: Using intl Package
First, you need to add the intl package to your project. Add the following to your pubspec.yaml file:
dependencies:
intl: ^0.18.1The intl package allows you to convert a string into a DateTime object and vice versa. Here’s how you can use it:
- Convert String to DateTime Object:
import 'package:intl/intl.dart';
void main() {
DateTime tempDate = DateFormat("format_for_your_string_you_want_to_convert").parse("datetime_string_you_want_to_convert");
// Example 1:
DateTime tempDate1 = DateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss").parse("2023-08-10 08:32:05");
print(tempDate1);
}- Convert DateTime to Formatted String:
import 'package:intl/intl.dart';
void main() {
String date = DateFormat("format_string_for_datetime").format(DateTime.now());
// Example 1:
String date1 = DateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss").format(DateTime.now());
print(date1);
}Output:
2023-08-11 11:03:31.000Disadvantage:
You must know the format of the datetime string to convert it properly.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the article: Format Dates in Flutter.
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Information in Table format
| Method | Description | Example Code | Output | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method 1: Using Inbuilt Method | Converts a formatted string into a DateTime object using DateTime.parse(). | dart void main() { print(DateTime.parse("2012-02-27 13:27:00")); print(DateTime.parse("20230811")); } | 2012-02-27 13:27:00.000 2023-08-11 00:00:00.000 | Can only convert a limited number of formatted strings. |
| Method 2: Using Milliseconds and Microseconds Epoch | Converts integers representing milliseconds and microseconds since the Unix epoch to DateTime objects. | dart void main() { print(DateTime.fromMillisecondsSinceEpoch(1691732035256)); print(DateTime.fromMicrosecondsSinceEpoch(1691732011600000)); } | 2023-08-11 11:03:55.256 2023-08-11 11:03:31.600 | Can only convert integer values with up to 13 digits. |
Method 3: Using intl Package | Converts a string into a DateTime object and vice versa using the intl package. | 1. To convert string to DateTime: dart import 'package:intl/intl.dart'; void main() { DateTime tempDate = DateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss").parse("2023-08-10 08:32:05"); print(tempDate); } 2. To convert DateTime to formatted string: dart import 'package:intl/intl.dart'; void main() { String date1 = DateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss").format(DateTime.now()); print(date1); } | 2023-08-11 11:03:31.000 | You must know the format of the datetime string to convert it properly. |
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FAQs on Converting Formatted String to DateTime Flutter Object in Flutter
What is the DateTime datatype in Dart?
The DateTime datatype in Dart is used to handle date and time. It comes with multiple inbuilt functions that provide various details like the current date and time, and it is essential for manipulating and formatting dates and times in Flutter applications.
How can I convert a formatted string into a DateTime object using Dart’s inbuilt method?
Dart provides an inbuilt method DateTime.parse() to convert a formatted string into a DateTime object. Here are some examples:
void main() {
// Example 1:
print(DateTime.parse("2012-02-27 13:27:00"));
// Example 2:
print(DateTime.parse("20230811"));
}Output:
2012-02-27 13:27:00.000
2023-08-11 00:00:00.000Join Our Whatsapp Group
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What are the limitations of using DateTime.parse() method?
The DateTime.parse() method can convert only a limited number of formatted strings. Some of the acceptable formats include:
- “2012-02-28 13:27:00”
- “2012-02-27 13:27:00.123456789z”
- “2012-02-27 13:27:00,123456789z”
- “20120227 13:27:00”
- “20120227T132700”
- “20120227”
- “+20120227”
- “2012-02-27T14Z”
- “2012-02-27T14+00:00”
- “-123450101 00:00:00 Z” (year -12345)
- “2002-02-27T14:00:00-0500”
- “2002-02-27T19:00:00Z”
How can I convert milliseconds and microseconds epoch into DateTime?
You can convert integers representing milliseconds and microseconds since the Unix epoch into DateTime objects using the following methods:
void main() {
// Example 1:
print(DateTime.fromMillisecondsSinceEpoch(1691732035256));
print(DateTime.fromMicrosecondsSinceEpoch(1691732011600000));
}Output:
2023-08-11 11:03:55.256
2023-08-11 11:03:31.600What are the disadvantages of converting epoch values to DateTime?
This method can only convert integer values with up to 13 digits accurately. Values with more than 13 digits might not convert correctly.
How do I use the intl package to convert a string to DateTime in Flutter?
First, add the intl package to your project by including the following in your pubspec.yaml file:
dependencies:
intl: ^0.18.1Then, you can use the intl package to convert a string into a DateTime object:
import 'package:intl/intl.dart';
void main() {
DateTime tempDate = DateFormat("format_for_your_string_you_want_to_convert").parse("datetime_string_you_want_to_convert");
// Example 1:
DateTime tempDate1 = DateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss").parse("2023-08-10 08:32:05");
print(tempDate1);
}How can I convert a DateTime object into a formatted string using the intl package?
You can also use the intl package to convert a DateTime object into a formatted string:
import 'package:intl/intl.dart';
void main() {
String date = DateFormat("format_string_for_datetime").format(DateTime.now());
// Example 1:
String date1 = DateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss").format(DateTime.now());
print(date1);
}Output:
2023-08-11 11:03:31.000What is the main disadvantage of using the intl package for converting strings to DateTime?
The main disadvantage of using the intl package is that you must know the exact format of the datetime string you want to convert. Without knowing the correct format, the conversion might fail or produce incorrect results.