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CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL

Convert an internal ABAP date (YYYYMMDD) to the user's display format.

Purpose

Transforms the internal 8-digit date representation (e.g. '20240115') into the locale-specific format stored in the user's personal settings — '15.01.2024' for German, '01/15/2024' for US, and so on. Essential before displaying any date in a message, ALV column header, custom screen, or concatenated string. The companion FM CONVERT_DATE_TO_INTERNAL does the reverse.

Signature (the parts you'll actually use)

Parameter Direction Type Notes
DATUM IMPORTING D Internal 8-digit date (TYPE D)
DATUM_EXTERN EXPORTING STRING Formatted date string in the user's locale

Example

DATA: lv_date_ext TYPE string.

" Convert today's date for use in a message
CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL'
  EXPORTING
    datum        = sy-datum
  IMPORTING
    datum_extern = lv_date_ext.

MESSAGE |Report run on { lv_date_ext }| TYPE 'S'.

" Typical pattern: convert a date from a database record before display
DATA: ls_order   TYPE vbak,
      lv_ext_dat TYPE string.

SELECT SINGLE * FROM vbak INTO ls_order WHERE vbeln = '0000012345'.

IF ls_order-audat IS NOT INITIAL.
  CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL'
    EXPORTING
      datum        = ls_order-audat
    IMPORTING
      datum_extern = lv_ext_dat.
ENDIF.

WRITE: / 'Order date:', lv_ext_dat.

Common pitfalls

Initial date produces a locale-formatted zero date

Passing an initial TYPE D field ('00000000') does not raise an exception — it returns '00.00.0000' or the locale equivalent. Check IF datum IS NOT INITIAL before calling the FM if a blank output is preferable to a zero-formatted string.

Output length varies by locale

The exported string is 10 characters for most locales but can differ. Never declare a fixed-length CHAR10 variable for the result and then pad or truncate it — use TYPE string to be safe.

  • Always use this FM (or an equivalent inline cast) before concatenating a date into a message string. Direct concatenation of a TYPE D field produces the raw YYYYMMDD digits, which confuses end users.
  • The conversion respects SY-UNAME's personal settings at runtime — results differ between users if their date formats differ.
  • For ALV output, set EDIT_MASK or rely on the DDIC type on the field catalog column rather than pre-converting, so ALV can handle sorting correctly.

See also

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