question How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone? in Developer forum

How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

alexjyong — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:32:19 GMT

A request from members in my organization involves displaying the timezone in the date time fields on our forms. While I could just have the label be dynamically generated by the user's timezone, it would be easier to just go and have it in the field itself. Is there a way to do this? I know emailing the data shows timezone, but I would like it on the SN frontend as well.

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

Ankur Bawiskar — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:35:08 GMT

Hi Alex,

So you want to display the name of timezone besides date/time field on form?

This seems difficult but can be achieved using client script by setting the message besides the field. This is the only way it can be done seems so.

Display Field Messages - ServiceNow Wiki

The system will show the date/time in user's timezone.

Mark Correct if this solves your issue and also hit Like and Helpful if you find my response worthy based on the impact.

Thanks

Ankur

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

Chuck Tomasi — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:40:05 GMT

Hi Alex,

By default, the system uses the user's timezone, if it is set, to display times and dates. Make sure they go to their profile and set the timezone. It may be defaulting to "System timezone" (or similar).

Example: The dates in the system database are stored in UTC. When it displays on the browser, it applies the system timezone. If the user sets a timezone in their profile, that overrides the system timezone.

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

alexjyong — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:53:45 GMT

Right, but I want it to explicitly state the timezone within the field.

On the picture below, I want that field to show the timezone.

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

Dave Smith1 — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:02:47 GMT

Alex Yong wrote:

Right, but I want it to explicitly state the timezone within the field.

.. you mean state the viewing user's timezone?

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

Chuck Tomasi — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:04:43 GMT

Ah, I see.

As far as I know, there's no format that outputs "PDT, UTC, US/Phoenix" or any other timezone suffix in the date/time picker widget. I love the idea.

If you feel this is important, I invite you to open an enhancement request! Our product managers DO listen.

Enhancement requests: Tell us how you would improve the ServiceNow product

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

alexjyong — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:07:19 GMT

Yes.

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

Chuck Tomasi — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:13:44 GMT

You might be able to do something similar with your own formatter... You could use getUserTimeZone (or gs.getSession().getTimeZone() ) to get the value and then display it as a UI macro/formatter. It wouldn't be part of the field display itself, but would allow you to expose it.

https://developer.servicenow.com/app.do#!/api_doc?v=jakarta&id=r_GDT-getUserTimeZone

https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/jakarta-servicenow-platform/page/administer/form-administration/concept/c_Formatters.html

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

alexjyong — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:16:32 GMT

Just tried to, but the enhancement form's product field is empty, which keeps me from submitting it.

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

alexjyong — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:17:15 GMT

I'll give that a shot. Thanks!

Re: How to get DateTime fields on forms to display the user's timezone?

Jay118 — Mon, 15 May 2023 12:47:42 GMT

I have the same question. After searching, I'm starting to think that the only option is to change the field from type GDT to a string and pass it the ISO standard time format with the time zone on the end like - 0400 or -04:00. It is for historical purposes so we do not want it changing per users settings and we do not want UTC.