# Inconsistent date column format in the "Data Grid" for exporting to csv **URL:** \ **Category:** Toad for Oracle & DevOps Toolkit\ **Created:** [October 5, 2020, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163 "2020-10-05T15:25:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![patrick.jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@patrick.jones](https://forums.toadworld.com/u/patrick.jones)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163/1 "2020-10-05T15:25:29Z")
Hi, I need to "Export Dataset" from the "Data Grid" tab of Schema Browser but I'm getting inconsistent formats for the dates. To test, I have a simple one date column table... in sqlplus SQL\> select col1 from pj.pjdates; COL1 05/10/2020 00:00:00 05/10/2020 11:35:55 The data grid (and the exported csv) however, shows: 05/10/2020 05/10/2020 11:35:55 I want to use the data as a source for sqlloader, so a consistent format is required. Is there a way to always show/export the time portion, even if it's a trunc'd date? (I know I can use TO\_CHAR() but I want to use this data extraction technique for a large number of tables with a large number of DATE datatype columns so wanted an easier fix 🙂 ) Toad for Oracle version 12.12.0.39 View \> Options \> Data Grids \> Data : Date format = dd/mm/yyyy View \> Options \> Data Grids \> Data : Time format = hh:mm:ss Any ideas? Thanks, Pat. ---
**Author:** ![NormTeamT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/quest/user_avatar/forums.toadworld.com/normteamt/32/53_2.png) [@NormTeamT](https://forums.toadworld.com/u/NormTeamT)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163/2 "2020-10-05T15:39:04Z")
I'm pretty sure that there is/was an option to "always show times even when zero" or something along those lines, but was it in 12.12 I wonder? If you go into the Toad Options screen again, there's a search field at the bottom. try using that to search for "time" or "times" or "zero" or "blank" or whatever else comes to mind. Sorry, I'm miles away from a database and Toad at the moment. Cheers, Norm. [TeamT] ---
**Author:** ![JohnDorlon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/quest/user_avatar/forums.toadworld.com/johndorlon/32/9997_2.png) [@JohnDorlon](https://forums.toadworld.com/u/JohnDorlon)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163/3 "2020-10-05T15:45:45Z")
Try exporting to the SQL Loader format. I just tested that in 12.12 and here are a couple of rows that it made: 7369;"SMITH";"CLERK";7902;"10/05/2020 15:43:09";800;NULL;20 7499;"ALLEN";"SALESMAN";7698;"02/20/1981 00:00:00";1600;300;30 ---
**Author:** ![JohnDorlon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/quest/user_avatar/forums.toadworld.com/johndorlon/32/9997_2.png) [@JohnDorlon](https://forums.toadworld.com/u/JohnDorlon)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163/4 "2020-10-05T15:48:00Z")
Norm, I think you are thinking of Export Dataset -\> Excel File Format -\> "Hide time portion if zero" ---
**Author:** ![patrick.jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@patrick.jones](https://forums.toadworld.com/u/patrick.jones)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163/5 "2020-10-05T16:09:32Z")
Thanks @JohnDorlon - that looks like it'll do the job! - I hadn't noticed the option in the dropdown. Thanks @NormTeamT too. Much appreciated, Pat. ---
**Author:** ![NormTeamT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/quest/user_avatar/forums.toadworld.com/normteamt/32/53_2.png) [@NormTeamT](https://forums.toadworld.com/u/NormTeamT)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.toadworld.com/t/inconsistent-date-column-format-in-the-data-grid-for-exporting-to-csv/51163/6 "2020-10-05T20:10:11Z")
Thanks John. I thought it was an option, for Toad in general, not for an export. Sorry, my mistake. I'm getting old these days and stuff is aging out of the cache! Cheers, Norm.[TeamT]