---
title: ES|QL DATE_FORMAT function
description: 
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/functions-operators/date-time-functions/date_format
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# ES|QL DATE_FORMAT function
## Syntax

![Embedded](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/images/functions/date_format.svg)


## Parameters

<definitions>
  <definition term="dateFormat">
    Date format (optional).  If no format is specified, the `yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss.SSSZ` format is used. If `null`, the function returns `null`.
  </definition>
  <definition term="date">
    Date expression. If `null`, the function returns `null`.
  </definition>
</definitions>


## Description

Returns a string representation of a date, in the provided format.

## Supported types


| dateFormat | date       | result  |
|------------|------------|---------|
| keyword    | date       | keyword |
| keyword    | date_nanos | keyword |
| text       | date       | keyword |
| text       | date_nanos | keyword |
|            | date       | keyword |
|            | date_nanos | keyword |


## Example

```esql
FROM employees
| KEEP first_name, last_name, hire_date
| EVAL hired = DATE_FORMAT("yyyy-MM-dd", hire_date)
```


| first_name:keyword | last_name:keyword | hire_date:date           | hired:keyword |
|--------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|---------------|
| Alejandro          | McAlpine          | 1991-06-26T00:00:00.000Z | 1991-06-26    |
| Amabile            | Gomatam           | 1992-11-18T00:00:00.000Z | 1992-11-18    |
| Anneke             | Preusig           | 1989-06-02T00:00:00.000Z | 1989-06-02    |