# Date Field

## Date ![Image:Icon\_Calendar24.png](https://115176873-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LJxaiQNjqdt96N_RNRP%2F-LYoJ3xKkP5g22YWe_M3%2F-LYoJ5fbvQ4zPvu-LU5m%2Fcalendar24.gif?generation=1550287161003296\&alt=media)

The Date control maintains data as a time stamp in a format consistent with the locale and language of the user's system. The format definitions follow the Java class [SimpleDateFormat](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/text/SimpleDateFormat.html). If no default format is found, the JDBC standard will be used "yyyy-MM-dd". Local formats will be converted to contain at least "dd" and "MM" numbers in the format code. Year codes will be increased to at least four digits.

The Date control operates like a text field where data can be input by keyboard entry. The digit being entered is enclosed in blue square brackets and format characters are ignored - just type the numbers.

Alternatively, the [Calendar Tool ](https://adempiere.gitbook.io/docs/introduction/getting-started/dialogs-and-forms/calendar-tool)can be opened and used to enter a date.

The pop-up menu displays the following options:

* [![Image:Icon\_VPreference24.png](http://wiki.adempiere.net/images/b/b0/Icon_VPreference24.png)](http://wiki.adempiere.net/File:Icon_VPreference24.png) [Value Preference](http://wiki.adempiere.net/Value_Preference_Dialog)
* [![Image:Icon\_ChangeLog24.png](http://wiki.adempiere.net/images/e/e1/Icon_ChangeLog24.png)](http://wiki.adempiere.net/File:Icon_ChangeLog24.png) [Change Log](http://wiki.adempiere.net/Change_Log)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://adempiere.gitbook.io/docs/introduction/getting-started/entering-data-fields-and-buttons/date-field.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.