Binaryworld - Converting a date string entered by the user to a VB Date value. ... [ VB.net -> Date-Time ]

This code formats a date string entered by the user, adding slashes and correct number of year digits and converts it to a proper date format.
You can use the following code to make your user interface more friendly. It will help you in correcting and preventing mistakes over what date is entered. Also the user will be able to immediately see what your program is going to accept and correct if necessary.

Just add the code given below to your form class to create a function to format the date.

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Private Function StringToDate(ByRef DateString As String) As Boolean

'if the user did not type slashes, guess, based on the length of string
If InStr(DateString, "-")=0 And InStr(DateString, "/") = 0 InStr(DateString, "\") = 0 Then
If DateString.Length = 4 Then
DateString = DateString.Substring(0,2) & "/" & DateString.Substring(2)
ElseIf (DateString.Length = 6 Or DateString.Length = 8) Then
DateString = DateString.Substring(0,2) & "/" & DateString.Substring(2,2)_
& "/" & DateString.Substring(4)
End If

End If
'If the above formatting works and u convert the string to date...
Try
DateString = Format(Convert.ToDateTime(DateString), "MM/dd/yyyy")
Return True

Catch e as Exception
Return False
End Try

To use it in your forms, add the following code to the Leave event of your text box.

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Dim s as String = TextBox1.Text
If StringToDate(s) Then TextBox1.Text = s

When u run it, enter some dates using 2 digit years and dashes instead of slashes and as you tab from it, the date will be reformatted nicely, providing confirmation to the user.