Introduction to New FORMAT Function in SQL Server 2012.

FORMAT()-Returns formatted value of specific format. let's check with datetime format with sample data.


--Native method
select convert(varchar(12),getdate(),112)



--New Method
select format(getdate(),'yyyyMMdd')
select format(getdate(),'yyyy')
select format(getdate(),'MM-dd-yyyy')
select format(getdate(),'MM/dd/yyyy')


With the help of FORMAT Function we can format datetime format without using Convert/Cast.


For more info FORMAT Function.