# toDate()

Converts a string or Unix epoch seconds to a date. Returns a date that can be used in another function such as `daysBetween(​)`. The returned date cannot be used in a filter.

## Syntax

`toDate(string, [”format"])`

If a *format* argument isn’t provided, the function uses the format `yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss`. *format* is only valid for converting date string values.

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

`toDate(epoch_seconds)`

The *format* argument is not valid for converting *epoch_seconds* numerical values.

:::note
Be sure to use the sec_epoch field and not the day_epoch field.
:::

## Example: Display the Exact Date an Opportunity Opened

Suppose that you want to see the exact day that an opportunity opened. Use `toDate()` with `CreatedDate_Year`, `CreatedDate_Month`, `CreatedDate_Day`, and an accepted date format. This query will resemble the example below:

```nolang
q = load "oppty";
q = foreach q generate toDate(CreatedDate_Year + "/" + CreatedDate_Month + "/" + CreatedDate_Day, "yyyy/MM/dd") as CreatedDate;
q = order q by 'CreatedDate';
```

## Example: Display the Number of Days Since an Opportunity Opened

Suppose that you have an opportunity dataset with the account name and the epoch seconds fields:

![Diagram showing the opportunity dataset.](https://a.sfdcstatic.com/developer-website/sfdocs/analytics/media/bi_dev_guide_saql/bi_saql_date_opp_dataset.png)

You want to see how many days ago an opportunity was opened. Use `daysBetween()` and `now()`. Use `toDate()` to convert the order date epoch seconds to a date format that can be passed to `daysBetween()`.

```nolang
q = load "OpsDates1";

q = foreach q generate Account, daysBetween(toDate(OrderDate_sec_epoch), now()) as 'daysOpened';
```

The resulting data stream displays the number of days since the opportunity was opened.

![Diagram showing the number of days each account has been opened for.](https://a.sfdcstatic.com/developer-website/sfdocs/analytics/media/bi_dev_guide_saql/bi_saql_date_daysopened.png)

:::note
Because dates are sorted lexicographically, changing the date format also changes the sort order.
:::

**See Also**

- [date()](/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-saql/guide/bi-saql-functions-datefilter.md)