Data Element - Date Processing Type

The Date data type processes source fields that contain date formats. A variety of date formats are supported. If the source date field includes a timestamp, then complete Java Date/Timestamp format must be represented. However, date processing will occur only on the Date portion of the field.

Specify which date pattern to use. Select one of the date formats provided or type a valid Java date format. A few standard date formats are provided including:

• MM/dd/yyyy
• MM-dd-yyyy
• dd/MM/yy
• yyyy-MM-dd
• yyDDD - Julian (5)
• yyyyDDD - Julian (7)

Dates are considered invalid if the source value does not conform to the date pattern specified.

When date processing is requested, a date format is required since date normalization will use a date pattern to convert the dates to the normalized format. The date format can be defined by the metadata or as part of the source data identifier. If a date format is not supplied by either of these sources, the default date format will be used.

Date processing includes a date value that is used to initialize the date field for the data element when that option is selected for invalid data. You must enter an initial date value to enable the Next button.

Date patterns can be specified at the data element level and they apply to the entire data element. Date patterns do not apply beyond the length of the identified field. If the date is split into multiple fields, a multi-field source data identifier must be created to identify all of the pieces. The date pattern will then apply to the combined field.

Java "SimpleDateFormat" pattern letters include the following letters. Keep in mind that uppercase and lowercase letters refer to different date parts.