---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/platform-administration

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu 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: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

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=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-application-development&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 <kbd class="ph userinput">yyyy</kbd> format-based date. For example, use <kbd class="ph userinput">mm-dd-yyyy</kbd>, <kbd class="ph userinput">yyyy-mm-dd</kbd>, or <kbd class="ph userinput">dd-mm-yyyy</kbd>.

* If your system date format is set to use the <kbd class="ph userinput">yy</kbd> 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 <kbd class="ph userinput">51</kbd> for 2051, the system considers the year as 1951. Similarly, if you set the year as <kbd class="ph userinput">37</kbd> 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=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-application-development&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 <kbd class="ph userinput">a</kbd> 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/uMu1fp~bgIYvtK~1pg7bsQ)**   
  You can personalize the format in which date values appear in your instance.
* **[Personalize the system time format](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/~tkEYzfYGFYhUH7WR8eJ8A)**   
  You can personalize the format in which time values appear in your instance.

**Related reference**   

* [Schedule entry fields](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/NQbd1UBQ6HhLHdGDWgCezw "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


