Looker Studio Function : FORMAT_DATETIME
Category: DATE function
The FORMAT_DATETIME function in Looker Studio is used to convert a DATETIME value into a formatted string based on a specified pattern. It helps customize how date and time values appear in dashboards, making them easier to read, compare, and present professionally.
This function is extremely useful when displaying formatted dates such as01 Jan 2025 instead of 2025-01-01 00:00:00.
Purpose of the FORMAT_DATETIME Function
1. Improve readability
Display datetime values in a more meaningful and presentable format
2.Support localization
Change display format based on region (e.g., DD-MM-YYYY)
3. Convert datetime to text
Useful when merging with text fields.
Why Use FORMAT_DATETIME in Looker Studio?
Key Benefits & Use Cases
✔ Convert system-formatted datetime values to custom display formats
✔ Improve reporting clarity for end-users and stakeholders
✔ Display readable timestamps in tables and scorecards
✔ Combine formatted datetime with labels using CONCAT
✔ Convert datetime before exporting or sharing reports
FORMAT_DATETIME(format_string, datetime_expression)
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| format_string | String | Date-time pattern of the original string |
| datetime_expression | DateTime |
How the FORMAT_DATETIME Function Works?
It transforms a DATETIME field into a text string based on the specified format.
Formatting symbols (like %d, %Y, %b, %H) determine the output style.
When should use the FORMAT_DATETIME Work?
Use it when:
You need readable date & time in dashboards
You must convert datetime to a formatted string before concatenation
You want to format timestamps before export
You are building executive dashboards, print layouts, or client presentations
Examples of FORMAT_DATETIME?
Example 1: Display Date Like 15 June 2025
FORMAT_DATETIME("%d %B %Y", Order_Time)
Output:
15 June 2025
Example 2: Convert Datetime to DD-MM-YYYY Format
FORMAT_DATETIME("%d-%m-%Y", Created_At)
Output:
05-01-2025
Example 3: Including Time (24-hour format)
FORMAT_DATETIME("%d-%m-%Y %H:%M:%S", Timestamp)
Output:
05-01-2025 14:20:30
Tips & Best Practices
💡 Use FORMAT_DATETIME for readability—not calculations (it returns text)
💡 For calculations, keep the original datetime field
💡 Combine with CONCAT to create formatted labels
💡 Localize formats depending on audience (India vs US formats)
💡 Use PARSE_DATETIME before formatting if data is text
It converts a datetime value into a formatted text string for better readability.
Yes, but FORMAT_DATE may be more appropriate if time is not needed.
No—it only changes how it’s displayed.
No—since it returns a string, use the original datetime for chart metrics.
Use PARSE_DATETIME() first to convert text to datetime.