Wikipedia:Overview of date formatting guidelines: Difference between revisions

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{{supplement|interprets=date formatting guidelines for Wikipedia|WP:DATEOVER|WP:DATEOVERVIEW|WP:DMY|WP:MDY}}

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Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Dates, months and years|guidelines for formatting dates]] ([[MOS:DATEFORMAT]]) setsset out the three date formats acceptable for use in Wikipedia articles, namely:

*'''Day–month–year''' (DMY) format—e.g., {{xt|{{#time:jCURRENTDAY}} F{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} Y{{CURRENTYEAR}}}} or {{xt|{{#time:jCURRENTDAY}} M{{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}} Y{{CURRENTYEAR}}}};

*'''Month–day–year''' (MDY) format—e.g., {{xt|{{#time:FCURRENTMONTHNAME}} j{{CURRENTDAY}}, Y{{CURRENTYEAR}}}} or {{xt|{{#time:MCURRENTMONTHABBREV}} j{{CURRENTDAY}}, Y{{CURRENTYEAR}}}};

*'''Year–month–day''' (YMD) format—e.g., {{xt|{{#time:YCURRENTYEAR}}-m{{CURRENTMONTH}}-d{{CURRENTDAY}}}} (also called the "all-numeric" format; used only in places where space is limited{{mdashb}}references, such as in references and some tables, and infoboxes{{mdashb}}and, but not in article text proper).

WhichThe appropriate format should be used infor a particular situation is controlleddetermined by the (somewhat confusing) interaction ofbetween three sub-provisions: MOS:DATEUNIFY, MOS:DATETIES, andof MOS:DATERETDATEFORMAT. The priority betweenamong these provisions can be summarised as follows:

#'''Consistency ([[MOS:DATEUNIFY]]):''' Each article should use either DMY or MDY format consistently, ''except'' that in references, access/archivethe datesformat (andused inby somethe casescitation publicationstyle dates)chosen mayfor usethe YMDarticle is used consistently. However, the only all-formattednumeric datesstyle allowed in citations is YMD.

#'''Strong national ties to a topic ([[MOS:DATETIES]]):''' Articles on topics with strong ties to a particular English-speaking countrynation should generally use the date format most commonly used in that nation. This generally means: {{Unordered list

#*Articles|articles on US topics use MDY format, ''except'' articles on modern US military topics use DMY in line with modern military usage;

#*Articles|articles on Canadian topics may use either DMY or MDY;

#*Articles|articles on topics relating to other English-speaking countries use DMY.

#:}} There may be other exceptions for particular topic areas.<p>Note that MOS:DATETIES does ''not'' apply to topics related to non-English-speaking countries. For example, articles on French topics do not necessarily use DMY, even though DMY is the predominant format in France.</p>

# '''Retaining existing format ([[MOS:DATERET]]):''' If an article has evolved using predominantly one format, don't change it ''unlessexcept'':{{Unordered list

#:Note that because this is the English language Wikipedia, MOS:DATETIES does ''not'' apply to topics related to non-English-speaking countries. For example, articles on French topics do not need to follow DMY format even though this is the predominant format in France.

#*|to conform with strong national ties (in accordance with MOS:DATETIES, as discussed in 2 above); or

#'''Retaining existing format ([[MOS:DATERET]]):''' If an article has evolved using predominantly one format, don't change it ''unless'':

#*there|for isgood reason, by consensus on the article's talk page otherwise (see below).

#*to conform with strong national ties (in accordance with MOS:DATETIES, as discussed in 2 above); or

Caution}} shouldThink be usedcarefully before making changes to thechanging established date formats of existing articles, especially changes to multiple articles in a particular subject area. Consider whether the proposed change would improve Wikipedia (beyond conforming the articles to your personal preference) and whether editors who have contributed to the articles on a particular subjectarticle(s) may have reached a consensus to use a particular format. SomeOther editors may revertfeel changesjustified toin reverting date-format formats that arechanges made without prior discussion, even when those changes citeare appropriatesupported sections ofby the above guidelines supporting them.

#*there is consensus on the article's talk page otherwise (see below).

As is the case with any guidelines, [[Wikipedia:Ignore all rules|occasional exceptions will apply]]. If there areis good reasonsreason to ignorediverge from the guidelines in the case of a particular casesarticle, [[Wikipedia:What "Ignore all rules" means#Use common sense|use common sense]] and discussseek any proposed deviation from the guidelines[[WP:CON|consensus]] on the relevantarticle's talk page for an article to reach consensus.

== See also ==

Caution should be used before making changes to the established date formats of existing articles, especially changes to multiple articles in a particular subject area. Consider whether the proposed change would improve Wikipedia and whether editors who have contributed to the articles on a particular subject may have reached a consensus to use a particular format. Some editors may revert changes to date formats that are made without prior discussion, even when those changes cite appropriate sections of the guidelines supporting them.

* [[Date format by country]]