---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/platform-administration
Release :
- australia
ft:locale :
- en-US
ft:publication_title :
- Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
ft:clusterId :
- platadm
bundleId :
- platadm
workflow :
- Platform
---
# Global date and time field format
# Global date and time field format {#ariaid-title1}
Release version: Australia
Updated March 12, 2026
 2 minutes to read
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## Summary of Global Date and Time Field Format
This document outlines how to define and modify global date and time formats in ServiceNow through system properties.
Administrators can adjust these settings to ensure consistency across the platform while allowing individual users to personalize their preferences.
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## Key Features
* **Date Format:** The default format is `yyyy-MM-dd`, adjustable via the `glide.sys.dateformat` property in System Properties. It is recommended to use a `yyyy` format to avoid unexpected date interpretations.
* **Time Format:** The default is `HH:mm:ss`, modifiable through the `glide.sys.timeformat` property. The format can include AM/PM by appending `a` to the string.
* **Validation:** Always validate format changes using a Validate date and time script to avoid errors, particularly regarding time zone settings.
## Key Outcomes
By managing global date and time formats, administrators ensure uniformity across the ServiceNow instance, enhancing clarity and reducing errors related to date interpretation. Personalization options allow users to view dates and times in their preferred format, improving user experience and efficiency.
You define default date and time formats globally using system properties.
## Date format
The glide.sys.date_format property defines the date format. An administrator can modify the property by navigating to System PropertiesSystem. The default format is: yyyy-MM-dd.
Note:
A user can override the global date or time format with a personal preference.
Modifying the glide.sys.date_format property changes the date or time format globally. When modifying the standard date format, also verify the format using a [Validate date and time](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ValidateDateAndTime&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) script. You can use the same pattern strings as the [java.text.SimpleDateFormat](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html) class, with the following exception:
* You cannot append the 'z' character to include the time zone when adding it to a script.
* If the resulting time zone is not three characters, an Invalid Date appears error appears when you validate the script, because the Date/Time Validation Script (sys_script_validator) fails. This failure occurs even though the script debugger shows that the content of the value meets the requirement of 'g_user_date_time_format'.
{#r_FormatDateAndTimeFields__ul_hdz_s4h_p3b}
MM is months, while mm indicates minutes. The format string consists of the following abbreviations. {#r_FormatDateAndTimeFields__table_hsv_rqb_3p__entry__3}
| Field | Full form | Short form |
|-|-|-|
| Year | yyyy (4 digits) | yy (2 digits), y (2 or 4 digits) |
| Month | MMM (name or abbr.) | MM (2 digits), M (1 or 2 digits) |
| Day of Month | dd (2 digits) | d (1 or 2 digits) |
[ ]
{#r_FormatDateAndTimeFields__table_hsv_rqb_3p}
Note:
It is recommended that you use a yyyy format-based date. For example, use MM-dd-yyyy, yyyy-MM-dd, or dd-MM-yyyy.
* If your system date format is set to use the yy year format, the system considers dates 20 years later or 80 years earlier from the current date as a date in the past or future leading to an unexpected behavior.
* For example, if you set the year as 51 for 2051, the system considers the year as 1951. Similarly, if you set the year as 37 for 1937, the system considers the year as 2037.
{#r_FormatDateAndTimeFields__ul_fnm_zsf_4jb}
## Time format
An administrator can modify the glide.sys.time_format property by navigating to System PropertiesSystem. Modifying the property changes the date or time format globally. When modifying the standard time format, also verify the format using a [Validate date and time](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ValidateDateAndTime&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) script. You can use the same pattern strings as the [java.text.SimpleDateFormat](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html) class, with the following exception: Appending 'z' to include the time zone is not supported.
The format string consists of the following abbreviations.
{#r_FormatDateAndTimeFields__table_q1g_frb_3p__entry__3}
| Field | Full form | Short form |
|-|-|-|
| Hour (1-12) | hh (2 digits) | h (1 or 2 digits) |
| Hour (0-23) | HH (2 digits) | H (1 or 2 digits) |
| Minute | mm (2 digits) | m (1 or 2 digits) |
| Second | ss (2 digits) | s (1 or 2 digits) |
[ ]
{#r_FormatDateAndTimeFields__table_q1g_frb_3p}
Add the character a to the end of the time format
string to indicate AM or PM. This option shows AM or PM whether you are using 12-hour time
(hh) or 24-hour time (HH).
The default format is: HH:mm:ss.
Note:
A user can override the global date or time format with a personal preference.
* **[Personalize the system date format](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/h6FdLBdKp54m5lei1ppIQg)**
You can personalize the format in which date values appear in your instance.
* **[Personalize the system time format](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/RQD9snIorMUSKxIMIP2_5A)**
You can personalize the format in which time values appear in your instance.
**Related reference**
* [Schedule entry fields](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ch35mx~3lcczPlqEuPkU_A "You can only associate a schedule entry with one schedule. The Schedule Entries related list contains the definitions of the time periods you want to include in or exclude from the schedule.")
*[\>]: and then