### [How to Create Additional Formats for the Date Field](https://wpforms.com/developers/how-to-create-additional-formats-for-the-date-field/)

**Published:** October 14, 2019
**Author:** Umair Majeed

**Excerpt:** This tutorial will walk you through how to create additional formats for the Date form field when using the datepicker. 

**Content:**

Would you like to customize how dates appear in your forms? While WPForms provides three default date formats in the Date / Time field’s Date Picker, you can easily add more formats to match your needs.

This guide will show you how to create custom date formats using PHP.

By default, the **Date / Time** field’s **Date Picker** provides three different date formats to choose from.

![the default datepicker formats will show 3 different formats to choose from](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/wpforms-default-datepicker-date-format.jpg)## Setting Up Custom Date Formats

To add new date formats, you’ll need to add a code snippet to your site. If you’re not sure how to add custom code, please see our [guide on how to add code snippets](https://wpforms.com/developers/how-to-add-custom-php-or-javascript-for-wpforms/).

```

/**
 * Add additional formats for the Date field Date Picker
 *
 * @link https://wpforms.com/developers/how-to-create-additional-formats-for-the-date-field/
 */
function wpf_dev_date_field_formats( $formats ) {
    // Item key is JS date character - see https://flatpickr.js.org/formatting/
    // Item value is in PHP format - see http://php.net/manual/en/function.date.php
    
    // Adds new format Monday, 20th December 2021
    $formats[ 'l, J F Y' ] = 'l, jS F Y';
    
    return $formats;
}
add_filter( 'wpforms_datetime_date_formats', 'wpf_dev_date_field_formats', 10, 1 );
```

This date format will allow us to enter the full date in a longer format **Monday, 20th December 2021**. To find more formats such as this, see [PHP’s official format documentation](https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.date.php).

All dates are stored as UNIX timestamps alongside the readable format. While most date formats work seamlessly, some complex formats might affect PHP’s ability to create the timestamp correctly.

## Using Custom Separators

To change the date separator (e.g., from / to -), use this code:

```

/**
 * Change date separator format
 */
function wpf_dev_date_field_formats( $formats ) {
    // Adds new format 24-07-2021
    $formats[ 'j-m-y' ] = 'j-m-y';
    return $formats;
}
add_filter( 'wpforms_datetime_date_formats', 'wpf_dev_date_field_formats', 10, 1 );
```

## Adding Words to Date Formats

To include words in your date format (like “Monday, 20th of December 2021”), use this code:

```

/**
 * Add words to date format
 */
function wpf_dev_date_field_formats( $formats ) {
    // Adds new format Monday, 20th of December 2021
    $formats[ 'l, J \of F Y' ] = 'l, jS \of F Y';
    return $formats;
}
add_filter( 'wpforms_datetime_date_formats', 'wpf_dev_date_field_formats', 10, 1 );
```

## Creating the Form

Next, we’re going to create our form and add our fields. This will include one **Date / Time** form field.

If you need any assistance in creating a form, [please see this documentation](https://wpforms.com/docs/creating-first-form/ "How to Create Your First Form").

Once you’ve added your **Date / Time** form field, click on the **Field Options** tab and select **Advanced** to select the **Format** and select your new format.

![after adding this snippet you can now choose additional formats for your datepicker](https://wpforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/wpforms-additional-date-format.jpg)And that’s all you need to create additional date formats for your **Date** field **Date Picker**. Would you like to customize the **Time Picker** as well? Please review our tutorial on [How to Customize the Date Time Field Time Picker](https://wpforms.com/developers/customize-the-date-time-field-time-picker/ "How to Customize the Date Time Field Time Picker").

## Reference Filter

Filter Reference: [wpforms\_datetime\_date\_formats](https://wpforms.com/developers/wpforms_datetime_date_formats/ "Using the wpforms_datetime_date_formats filter")

**Categories:** Fields

**Tags:** Date Time Field, PHP

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