ISDATE

Use the ISDATE function check if a text value is recognisable as a Date.

Use

ISDATE( value )
Returns TRUE if the value is a date.

Parameter	Required	Description
value	Yes	any text value to test

Returns

Logical

Examples

Validation Logic (Ensuring Correct Text Input)

You can use ISDATE in an Output Validation Formula to check a text field where a user is expected to manually type a date (for example, if a specific legacy format is being captured in a text widget).

• Scenario: A user must enter a "Renewal Date" into a text field. You want to prevent the form from being submitted if the text is not a valid date.
• Formula: ASSERT(ISDATE(this), "The value entered is not a valid date format.")
• Logic:
  • this: Refers to the text value currently being entered in the field.
  • ISDATE(this): Analyzes the text to see if it matches a recognizable date pattern.
  • ASSERT: If the function returns FALSE, GoApprove stops the submission and displays the custom error message.

Conditional Logic (Dynamic Form Visibility)

In the Form Builder, you can use ISDATE within Conditional Logic to show or hide elements based on whether a previously provided piece of text is a valid date.

• Scenario: You have a "Service Detail" Content Block that should only appear if the "LastServiceDate" provided in the trigger step is a valid date string.
• Formula: ISDATE(@Trigger.out.LastServiceDate)
• Logic:
  • @Trigger.out...: This pulls the specific text output from the trigger form.
  • Show when: This formula is entered into the "Show when" property of the Content Block.
  • Result: If the captured string is "2024-12-25", the function returns TRUE and the block is shown. If the string is "Unknown" or left blank, it returns FALSE and the block remains hidden.

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Pro Tip: If you have a value that passes the ISDATE check but is still stored as text, you should use the DATEVALUE function to convert it into a formal Date data type before performing arithmetic, such as calculating the difference between two dates.