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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

Parameter Direction Type Notes
DATE_INTERNAL IMPORTING SY-DATUM Internal 8-digit date. Default: SY-DATUM.
DATE_EXTERNAL EXPORTING — Formatted date string in the user's locale.

Exceptions

Exception When raised
DATE_INTERNAL_IS_INVALID The value passed is not a valid internal date.

Example

DATA lv_date_ext TYPE string.

" Convert today's date for use in a message
CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL'
  EXPORTING
    date_internal = sy-datum
  IMPORTING
    date_external = lv_date_ext
  EXCEPTIONS
    date_internal_is_invalid = 1
    OTHERS                   = 2.

IF sy-subrc <> 0.
  MESSAGE 'Invalid date.' TYPE 'E'.
ENDIF.

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

" 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
      date_internal = ls_order-audat
    IMPORTING
      date_external = lv_ext_dat
    EXCEPTIONS
      date_internal_is_invalid = 1
      OTHERS                   = 2.

  WRITE: / 'Order date:', lv_ext_dat.
ENDIF.

Common pitfalls

Initial date does not raise an exception

Passing an initial TYPE D field ('00000000') does not raise DATE_INTERNAL_IS_INVALID — it returns '00.00.0000' or the locale equivalent. Check IF date_internal IS NOT INITIAL before calling if a blank output is preferable.

Output length varies by locale

The exported value is typically 10 characters but can differ by locale. Use TYPE string for DATE_EXTERNAL to be safe — never a fixed CHAR10.

  • Always convert before concatenating a date into a message string. Direct concatenation of a TYPE D field produces raw YYYYMMDD digits.
  • The conversion respects the running user's personal date format settings — results differ between users.
  • For ALV output, rely on the DDIC type on the field catalog column rather than pre-converting, so ALV handles sorting correctly.

See also

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