# date_to_string()

Converts a date to a string.

## Syntax

`date_to_string(date, formatString)`

For the allowed formats, see [Date Formats](/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-saql/guide/bi-date-formats.md).

:::note
This function is identical to `toString()`.
:::

## Usage

This function must take a `toDate()` or `now(​)` function as its first argument.

## Example

```nolang
q = foreach q generate date_to_string(now(​), "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss") as ds1;
```