File Content Extraction 26.1
Filter SDK Python Programming Guide

# Specify Date and Time Format on UNIX Systems

In Microsoft Excel you can choose to format dates and times according to the system locale. On Windows, File Content Extraction uses the system locale settings to determine how these dates and times should be formatted. In other operating systems, File Content Extraction uses the U.S. short date format (mm/dd/yyyy). You can change this by specifying the formats you wish to use in the `formats.ini` file.

To specify the system date and time format on UNIX systems

- In the `formats.ini` file, add the `[LocaleSetting]` section, and specify the following options:

  - `SysDateTime`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system format including both the date and the time.
  - `SysLongDate`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system long date format.
  - `SysShortDate`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system short date format.
  - `SysTime`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system time format.

  NOTE: These values cannot contain spaces.

  For example:

      [LocaleSetting]
      SysDateTime=%d/%m/%Y

  In this example, dates and times are extracted in the following format: 28/02/2008

  The format arguments are the same as those for the `strftime()` function.

  See http://linux.die.net/man/3/strftime for more information.

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Version 26.1 | Last updated January 2026

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Product: File Content Extraction 26.1

Topic Title: Specify Date and Time Format on UNIX Systems