how to convert a string date into datetime format in python?

Question

How do I convert a a string of datetime into datetime format in python so that it can be compared with another date?

string_date = "2013-09-28 20:30:55.78200"
abc = datetime.datetime.now()

if abc  > string_date :
    print True

score 181 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 28 '13 at 15:06

181

The particular format for strptime:

datetime.datetime.strptime(string_date, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S.%f")
#>>> datetime.datetime(2013, 9, 28, 20, 30, 55, 782000)

answered Sep 28 '13 at 15:06

Veedrac

1

What platforms is %f supported on? – Jonathan Jul 09 '15 at 02:59
@JonathanLeaders I suggest you ask a separate question about that. – Veedrac Jul 09 '15 at 13:19

Thomas Orozco · Answer 2 · 2013-09-28T15:05:13.770

29

import datetime

dt = datetime.datetime.strptime(string_date, fmt)

fmt will need to be the appropriate format for your string. You'll find the reference on how to build your format here.

edited Sep 28 '13 at 15:05

answered Sep 28 '13 at 15:00

Thomas Orozco

You mean to say `dt = datetime.datetime.strptime(string_date, "YYYY-MM-DD %H:%M%:%S")` ? – PythonEnthusiast Sep 28 '13 at 15:03
1

@user1162512 That format will not be correct, check my updated answer. – Thomas Orozco Sep 28 '13 at 15:04
1

not working with `dt = datetime.datetime.strptime(string_date, "YYYY-MM-DD %H:%M%:%S")` . Says format is not valid – PythonEnthusiast Sep 28 '13 at 15:07
1

It's not valid @user1162512, as you were told. For a start your string has fractional seconds, which you haven't accounted for in your format. If you read the documentation it'll help. – Ben Sep 28 '13 at 15:08
Thanks. It worked with the answer provided by @Veedrac – PythonEnthusiast Sep 28 '13 at 15:11

2 Answers2