> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://axiom.co/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

<AgentInstructions>

## Submitting Feedback

If you encounter incorrect, outdated, or confusing documentation on this page, submit feedback:

POST https://axiom.co/docs/feedback

```json
{
  "path": "/apl/scalar-functions/conversion-functions/todatetime",
  "feedback": "Description of the issue"
}
```

Only submit feedback when you have something specific and actionable to report.

</AgentInstructions>

# todatetime

> This page explains how to use the todatetime function in APL.

Use the `todatetime` function to convert various data types to a datetime value. This is helpful when you need to normalize date and time values from different formats or sources into a standard datetime format for comparison, filtering, or time-based analysis.

You typically use `todatetime` when working with date strings, timestamps, or other time representations that need to be converted to datetime format for time-based operations.

## For users of other query languages

If you come from other query languages, this section explains how to adjust your existing queries to achieve the same results in APL.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Splunk SPL users">
    In Splunk, you use `strptime` or `strftime` functions to parse date strings, or `eval` with time functions. In APL, `todatetime` provides a direct conversion function that handles various date and time formats.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```sql Splunk example theme={null}
      ... | eval timestamp = strptime(date_field, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
      ```

      ```kusto APL equivalent theme={null}
      ... | extend timestamp = todatetime(date_field)
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="ANSI SQL users">
    In standard SQL, you use `CAST(... AS DATETIME)` or `TO_DATE` functions to convert strings to datetime. In APL, `todatetime` provides a simpler way to convert various types to datetime values.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```sql SQL example theme={null}
      SELECT CAST('2022-11-13' AS DATETIME) AS date_value FROM logs;
      ```

      ```kusto APL equivalent theme={null}
      ['sample-http-logs']
      | extend date_value = todatetime('2022-11-13')
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Usage

### Syntax

```kusto theme={null}
todatetime(value)
```

### Parameters

| Name  | Type    | Description                       |
| ----- | ------- | --------------------------------- |
| value | dynamic | The value to convert to datetime. |

### Returns

If the conversion is successful, the result is a datetime value. If the conversion isn't successful, the result is `null`.

### Conversion behavior

The `todatetime` function converts values based on their type:

* **Integer/Float**: Assumed to be nanoseconds since epoch.
* **String**: Parsed using the [`dateparse` package](https://github.com/araddon/dateparse), which accepts many common date and time formats. See the [upstream examples](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/araddon/dateparse/master/example/main.go) for supported formats.

## Use case example

Convert date strings from log fields to datetime values for time-based filtering and analysis.

**Query**

```kusto theme={null}
['sample-http-logs']
| extend log_date = todatetime('2024-06-24')
| extend is_recent = _time >= log_date
| where is_recent == true
| project _time, ['uri'], ['status'], log_date
```

[Run in Playground](https://play.axiom.co/axiom-play-qf1k/query?initForm=%7B%22apl%22%3A%22%5B'sample-http-logs'%5D%20%7C%20extend%20log_date%20%3D%20todatetime\('2024-06-24'\)%20%7C%20extend%20is_recent%20%3D%20_time%20%3E%3D%20log_date%20%7C%20where%20is_recent%20%3D%3D%20true%20%7C%20project%20_time%2C%20%5B'uri'%5D%2C%20%5B'status'%5D%2C%20log_date%22%7D)

**Output**

| \_time           | uri        | status | log\_date            |
| ---------------- | ---------- | ------ | -------------------- |
| Jun 24, 09:28:10 | /api/users | 200    | 2024-06-24T00:00:00Z |

This example converts a date string to a datetime value and uses it for time-based comparisons, enabling precise date filtering in your queries.

## List of related functions

* [totimespan](/apl/scalar-functions/conversion-functions/totimespan): Converts input to timespan. Use `totimespan` for duration values, and `todatetime` for absolute time points.å