Working with dates is a common task for many applications. One of the frequently asked questions in this domain is, “How can one easily retrieve the day name from a given date?” In this article, we’ll discuss the most straightforward method to achieve this, especially using Power Apps. By the end, you’ll understand how to get the weekday name, such as Monday or Tuesday, from any given date. If at any point you feel stuck or need further technical assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Understanding the Common Approach
When it comes to Power Apps, determining the day name from a date isn’t particularly challenging. There are multiple methods one can employ. One common approach involves the Weekday function. This function processes an input date and yields a number between 1 to 7, indicative of the day. Subsequently, the Switch function returns a corresponding day name. While this method works, it’s often more complex than necessary.
A Simpler Technique
Instead of juggling between functions, there exists a more streamlined way. With just one formula, you can get the desired result:
Text(Now(), "ddd")
This formula utilizes the text function to shape the input date using a custom string format. The “ddd” placeholder gives back a three-letter abbreviation (e.g., Sun to Sat), while the “dddd” placeholder provides the complete day name (e.g., Sunday to Saturday).
Localization Benefits
An advantage of this method is its capability to display the day name in the user’s current language, as observed when it shows the day name in Spanish on a device set to Spanish. But what if there’s a preference for the English rendition, irrespective of the user’s language? It’s quite simple:
Text(Now(), "dddd", "en")
By adding the “en” language code, the result is always in English. This flexibility extends further. For instance, if you wish to present the Russian variant, you’d use the “ru” language code.
Important Considerations
It’s crucial to note that this approach functions exclusively when the input is of the date/datetime data type. If the input is a string representation of a date, it will not work directly. In such cases, the DateValue function comes to the rescue, converting the string into a date. It’s recommended to specify the input string’s format with the DateValue function to avert any potential mismatches due to user language preferences.
Conclusion
In essence, to retrieve the day name corresponding to a date, simply invoke the Text function with the “ddd” or “dddd” format string. This method is not only user-friendly but also supports localization, making it a superior alternative to the traditional Weekday/Switch functions. Should you have any questions or require further guidance on this topic or any other technical aspect, we’re here to assist. Please reach out to us, and we’d be more than happy to help.