Dynamics Community Forum Thread Details

Hello Ankeet,

You've identified a common challenge: Dynamics 365 doesn't have a direct "time-only" field type. You're also right to be concerned about the limitations of some PCF controls that split the time into multiple columns. Let's explore how to achieve your desired outcome:

Understanding the Challenge:

No Time-Only Field: Dynamics 365 stores date and time together.

PCF Limitations: Some PCF controls don't store time in a standard format.

Desired Format: You need to store the time as 1/1/1900 hh:mm:ss (24-hour format) in a DateTime field.

Solutions:

Custom PCF Control (Recommended):
- Create a Custom Time Picker PCF:
  - Develop a custom PCF control that provides a user-friendly time picker interface.
  - The control should:
    - Allow users to select time in hh:mm am/pm format.
    - Convert the selected time to 1/1/1900 hh:mm:ss (24-hour format).
    - Store the formatted time in a DateTime field.
  - This is the most user friendly method.
- Advantages:
  - Provides a seamless user experience.
  - Stores the time in the desired format.
  - You will have complete control over the input, and output.
- Considerations:
  - Requires PCF development skills.
  - Requires testing and maintenance.

JavaScript and a DateTime Field:
- Add a DateTime Field:
  - Add a DateTime field to your entity.
- Create a Time Input Field (HTML):
  - Add a single line of text field to the form.
  - Then use JavaScript to change the single line of text field into a HTML time input field.
- JavaScript Logic:
  - Use JavaScript to:
    - Capture the time entered by the user.
    - Convert the time to 24-hour format.
    - Construct a DateTime string in the format 1/1/1900 hh:mm:ss.
    - Set the value of the DateTime field.
- Advantages:
  - No need for a PCF control.
  - Provides more control over the input.
- Considerations:
  - Requires JavaScript skills.
  - Can be complex.
  - Requires more testing.
  - HTML input controls can have cross browser compatibility issues.

Two Numeric Fields and a Calculated Field:
- Add Numeric Fields:
  - Add two numeric fields to your entity: "Hours" and "Minutes."
- Add a Calculated Field:
  - Add a calculated DateTime field.
  - Then use the calculated field to combine the hours and minutes into the desired date time format.
- JavaScript (Optional):
  - Use javascript to help with user input validation.
- Advantages:
  - No need for a PCF control.
  - Relatively simple to implement.
- Disadvantages:
  - Less user-friendly than a time picker.
  - Requires manual input of hours and minutes.
  - Does not have the am/pm functionality.

Example JavaScript (Conceptual):

function setTime(executionContext) {
var formContext = executionContext.getFormContext();
var timeInput = formContext.getAttribute("your_time_input_field").getValue(); // Get the time string

if (timeInput) {
// Convert time to 24-hour format and construct DateTime string
var timeParts = timeInput.split(":");
var hours = parseInt(timeParts[0]);
var minutes = parseInt(timeParts[1]);
var ampm = timeParts[2].toLowerCase();

if (ampm === "pm" && hours < 12) {
hours += 12;
} else if (ampm === "am" && hours === 12) {
hours = 0;
}

var dateTimeString = "1/1/1900 " + hours.toString().padStart(2, '0') + ":" + minutes.toString().padStart(2, '0') + ":00";

formContext.getAttribute("your_datetime_field").setValue(new Date(dateTimeString));
}
}

Key Recommendations:

Custom PCF Control: This is the most user-friendly and robust solution.

JavaScript and DateTime Field: This is a viable option if you're comfortable with JavaScript.

Two Numeric Fields and Calculated Field: This is the simplest option, but it's less user-friendly.

By using these solutions, you can effectively implement time-only input and store the time in your desired format.

If my answer was helpful, please click Like, and if it solved your problem, please mark it as verified to help other community members find more. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

My response was crafted with AI assistance and tailored to provide detailed and actionable guidance for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 query.

Regards,

Daivat Vartak