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TimeSpan.ParseExact Method

  • Reference

Definition

Namespace:
System
Assembly:
System.Runtime.dll
Assembly:
mscorlib.dll
Assembly:
netstandard.dll

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent. The format of the string representation must match a specified format exactly.

Overloads

ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider)

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified format and culture-specific format information. The format of the string representation must match the specified format exactly.
ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider)

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified array of format strings and culture-specific format information. The format of the string representation must match one of the specified formats exactly.
ParseExact(ReadOnlySpan<Char>, ReadOnlySpan<Char>, IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Converts the char span of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified format and culture-specific format information. The format of the string representation must match the specified format exactly.
ParseExact(ReadOnlySpan<Char>, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified formats, culture-specific format information, and styles. The format of the string representation must match one of the specified formats exactly.
ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified format, culture-specific format information, and styles. The format of the string representation must match the specified format exactly.
ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified formats, culture-specific format information, and styles. The format of the string representation must match one of the specified formats exactly.

ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider)

Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified format and culture-specific format information. The format of the string representation must match the specified format exactly.

public:
 static TimeSpan ParseExact(System::String ^ input, System::String ^ format, IFormatProvider ^ formatProvider);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string format, IFormatProvider formatProvider);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string format, IFormatProvider? formatProvider);
static member ParseExact : string * string * IFormatProvider -> TimeSpan
Public Shared Function ParseExact (input As String, format As String, formatProvider As IFormatProvider) As TimeSpan

Parameters

input
String

A string that specifies the time interval to convert.

format
String

A standard or custom format string that defines the required format of input.

formatProvider
IFormatProvider

An object that provides culture-specific formatting information.

Returns

TimeSpan

A time interval that corresponds to input, as specified by format and formatProvider.

Exceptions

ArgumentNullException

input is null.

FormatException

input has an invalid format.

OverflowException

input represents a number that is less than TimeSpan.MinValue or greater than TimeSpan.MaxValue.

-or-

At least one of the days, hours, minutes, or seconds components in input is outside its valid range.

Examples

The following example uses the ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider) method to parse several string representations of time intervals using various format strings and cultures.

using System;
using System.Globalization;

public class Example
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      string intervalString, format;
      TimeSpan interval;
      CultureInfo culture;
      
      // Parse hour:minute value with "g" specifier current culture.
      intervalString = "17:14";
      format = "g";
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", 
                           intervalString, format);
      }                     
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      }      
      
      // Parse hour:minute:second value with "G" specifier.
      intervalString = "17:14:48";
      format = "G";
      culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      // and current (en-US) culture.     
      intervalString = "17:14:48.153";
      format = "G";
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 

      // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      // and current (en-US) culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153";
      format = "G";
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
            
      // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      // and fr-FR culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153";
      format = "G";
      culture = new CultureInfo("fr-FR");
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      // and fr-FR culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48,153";
      format = "G";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 

      // Parse a single number using the "c" standard format string. 
      intervalString = "12";
      format = "c";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse a single number using the "%h" custom format string. 
      format = "%h";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse a single number using the "%s" custom format string. 
      format = "%s";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      }
   }
}
// The example displays the following output:
//       '17:14' --> 17:14:00
//       '17:14:48': Bad Format for 'G'
//       '17:14:48.153': Bad Format for 'G'
//       '3:17:14:48.153' --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//       '3:17:14:48.153': Bad Format for 'G'
//       '3:17:14:48,153' --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//       '12' --> 12.00:00:00
//       '12' --> 12:00:00
//       '12' --> 00:00:12

open System
open System.Globalization

do
    // Parse hour:minute value with "g" specifier current culture.
    let intervalString = "17:14"
    let format = "g"
    let culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse hour:minute:second value with "G" specifier.
    let intervalString = "17:14:48"
    let format = "G"
    let culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
    // and current (en-US) culture.     
    let intervalString = "17:14:48.153"
    let format = "G"
    let culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"

    // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
    // and current (en-US) culture.     
    let intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
    let format = "G"
    let culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
        
    // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
    // and fr-FR culture.     
    let intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
    let format = "G"
    let culture = CultureInfo "fr-FR"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
    // and fr-FR culture.     
    let intervalString = "3:17:14:48,153"
    let format = "G"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"

    // Parse a single number using the "c" standard format string. 
    let intervalString = "12"
    let format = "c"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse a single number using the "%h" custom format string. 
    let format = "%h"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse a single number using the "%s" custom format string. 
    let format = "%s"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
// The example displays the following output:
//       '17:14' --> 17:14:00
//       '17:14:48': Bad Format for 'G'
//       '17:14:48.153': Bad Format for 'G'
//       '3:17:14:48.153' --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//       '3:17:14:48.153': Bad Format for 'G'
//       '3:17:14:48,153' --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//       '12' --> 12.00:00:00
//       '12' --> 12:00:00
//       '12' --> 00:00:12

Imports System.Globalization

Module Example
   Public Sub Main()
      Dim intervalString, format As String
      Dim interval As TimeSpan
      Dim culture As CultureInfo
      
      ' Parse hour:minute value with "g" specifier current culture.
      intervalString = "17:14"
      format = "g"
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try      
      
      ' Parse hour:minute:second value with "G" specifier.
      intervalString = "17:14:48"
      format = "G"
      culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      ' and current (en-US) culture.     
      intervalString = "17:14:48.153"
      format = "G"
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 

      ' Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      ' and current (en-US) culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
      format = "G"
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
            
      ' Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      ' and fr-FR culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
      format = "G"
      culture = New CultureInfo("fr-FR")
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      ' and fr-FR culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48,153"
      format = "G"
      culture = New CultureInfo("fr-FR")
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 

      ' Parse a single number using the "c" standard format string. 
      intervalString = "12"
      format = "c"
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, Nothing)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse a single number using the "%h" custom format string. 
      format = "%h"
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, Nothing)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse a single number using the "%s" custom format string. 
      format = "%s"
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, Nothing)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' --> {1}", intervalString, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
   End Sub
End Module
' The example displays the following output:
'       '17:14' --> 17:14:00
'       '17:14:48': Bad Format for 'G'
'       '17:14:48.153': Bad Format for 'G'
'       '3:17:14:48.153' --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
'       '3:17:14:48.153': Bad Format for 'G'
'       '3:17:14:48,153' --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
'       '12' --> 12.00:00:00
'       '12' --> 12:00:00
'       '12' --> 00:00:12

Remarks

The ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider) method parses the string representation of a time interval, which must be in the format defined by the format parameter, except that leading and trailing white-space characters are ignored. Because input must conform to the format of format exactly, you should always use exception handling when converting a string input by the user to a time interval. If you prefer not to use exception handling, you can call the TryParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider, TimeSpan) method instead.

The format parameter is a string that contains either a single standard format specifier, or one or more custom format specifiers that define the required format of input. For more information about valid format strings, see Standard TimeSpan Format Strings and Custom TimeSpan Format Strings.

Important

The ParseExact method uses the conventions of the culture specified by the formatProvider parameter only if format is a standard TimeSpan format string whose value is either "g" or "G". The "c", "t", and "T" standard format strings use the formatting conventions of the invariant culture. Custom format strings define the precise format of the input string and use literal characters to separate the components of a time interval.

The formatProvider parameter is an IFormatProvider implementation that provides culture-specific information about the format of the returned string if format is a standard format string. The formatProvider parameter can be any of the following:

If formatProvider is null, the DateTimeFormatInfo object that is associated with the current culture is used.

See also

Applies to

ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider)

Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified array of format strings and culture-specific format information. The format of the string representation must match one of the specified formats exactly.

public:
 static TimeSpan ParseExact(System::String ^ input, cli::array <System::String ^> ^ formats, IFormatProvider ^ formatProvider);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string[] formats, IFormatProvider formatProvider);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string[] formats, IFormatProvider? formatProvider);
static member ParseExact : string * string[] * IFormatProvider -> TimeSpan
Public Shared Function ParseExact (input As String, formats As String(), formatProvider As IFormatProvider) As TimeSpan

Parameters

input
String

A string that specifies the time interval to convert.

formats
String[]

An array of standard or custom format strings that defines the required format of input.

formatProvider
IFormatProvider

An object that provides culture-specific formatting information.

Returns

TimeSpan

A time interval that corresponds to input, as specified by formats and formatProvider.

Exceptions

ArgumentNullException

input is null.

FormatException

input has an invalid format.

OverflowException

input represents a number that is less than TimeSpan.MinValue or greater than TimeSpan.MaxValue.

-or-

At least one of the days, hours, minutes, or seconds components in input is outside its valid range.

Examples

The following example calls the ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider) method to convert each element of a string array to a TimeSpan value. The example interprets the strings using the formatting conventions of the French - France ("fr-FR") culture. The strings can represent a time interval in either the general short format or the general long format.

In addition, the example changes the way in which the time interval parsing methods interpret a single digit. Ordinarily, a single digit is interpreted as the number of days in a time interval. Instead, the %h custom format string is used to interpret a single digit as the number of hours. For this change to be effective, note that the %h custom format string must precede the other format strings in the formats array.

using System;
using System.Globalization;

public class Example
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      string[] inputs = { "3", "16:42", "1:6:52:35.0625", 
                          "1:6:52:35,0625" }; 
      string[] formats = { "g", "G", "%h"};
      TimeSpan interval;
      CultureInfo culture = new CultureInfo("fr-FR");
      
      // Parse each string in inputs using formats and the fr-FR culture.
      foreach (string input in inputs) {
         try {
            interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(input, formats, culture);
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> {1:c}", input, interval);
         }
         catch (FormatException) {
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Bad Format", input);
         }      
         catch (OverflowException) {
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Overflow", input);   
         }            
      }
   }
}
// The example displays the following output:
//       3 --> 03:00:00
//       16:42 --> 16:42:00
//       1:6:52:35.0625 --> Bad Format
//       1:6:52:35,0625 --> 1.06:52:35.0625000

open System
open System.Globalization

let inputs = [| "3"; "16:42"; "1:6:52:35.0625"; "1:6:52:35,0625" |] 
let formats = [| "g"; "G"; "%h" |]
let culture = CultureInfo "fr-FR"

// Parse each string in inputs using formats and the fr-FR culture.
for input in inputs do
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(input, formats, culture)
        printfn $"{input} --> {interval:c}"
    with
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"{input} --> Bad Format"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"{input} --> Overflow"
// The example displays the following output:
//       3 --> 03:00:00
//       16:42 --> 16:42:00
//       1:6:52:35.0625 --> Bad Format
//       1:6:52:35,0625 --> 1.06:52:35.0625000

Imports System.Globalization

Module Example
   Public Sub Main()
      Dim inputs() As String = { "3", "16:42", "1:6:52:35.0625", 
                                 "1:6:52:35,0625" } 
      Dim formats() As String = { "%h", "g", "G" }
      Dim interval As TimeSpan
      Dim culture As New CultureInfo("fr-FR")
      
      ' Parse each string in inputs using formats and the fr-FR culture.
      For Each input As String In inputs
         Try
            interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(input, formats, culture)
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> {1:c}", input, interval)   
         Catch e As FormatException
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Bad Format", input)   
         Catch e As OverflowException
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Overflow", input)   
         End Try            
      Next
   End Sub
End Module
' The example displays the following output:
'       3 --> 3.00:00:00
'       16:42 --> 16:42:00
'       1:6:52:35.0625 --> Bad Format
'       1:6:52:35,0625 --> 1.06:52:35.0625000

Remarks

The ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider) method parses the string representation of a time interval, which must be in one of the formats defined by the formats parameter, except that leading and trailing white-space characters are ignored. Because input must exactly conform to one of the formats specified in formats, you should always use exception handling when converting a string input by the user to a time interval. If you prefer not to use exception handling, you can call the TryParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpan) method instead.

The formats parameter is a string array whose elements consist of either a single standard format specifier, or one or more custom format specifiers that define the required format of input. For more information about valid format strings, see Standard TimeSpan Format Strings and Custom TimeSpan Format Strings. input must correspond exactly to a member of formats for the parse operation to succeed. The parse operation attempts to match input to each element in formats starting with the first element in the array.

Important

The ParseExact method uses the conventions of the culture specified by the formatProvider parameter only if the format string used to parse input is a standard TimeSpan format string whose value is either "g" or "G". The "c", "t", and "T" standard format strings use the formatting conventions of the invariant culture. Custom format strings define the precise format of the input string and use literal characters to separate the components of a time interval.

The formatProvider parameter is an IFormatProvider implementation that provides culture-specific information about the format of the returned string if the format string used to parse input is a standard format string. The formatProvider parameter can be any of the following:

If formatProvider is null, the DateTimeFormatInfo object that is associated with the current culture is used.

See also

Applies to

ParseExact(ReadOnlySpan<Char>, ReadOnlySpan<Char>, IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs

Converts the char span of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified format and culture-specific format information. The format of the string representation must match the specified format exactly.

public static TimeSpan ParseExact (ReadOnlySpan<char> input, ReadOnlySpan<char> format, IFormatProvider? formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles = System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles.None);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (ReadOnlySpan<char> input, ReadOnlySpan<char> format, IFormatProvider formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles = System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles.None);
static member ParseExact : ReadOnlySpan<char> * ReadOnlySpan<char> * IFormatProvider * System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles -> TimeSpan
Public Shared Function ParseExact (input As ReadOnlySpan(Of Char), format As ReadOnlySpan(Of Char), formatProvider As IFormatProvider, Optional styles As TimeSpanStyles = System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles.None) As TimeSpan

Parameters

input
ReadOnlySpan<Char>

A span that specifies the time interval to convert.

format
ReadOnlySpan<Char>

A standard or custom format string that defines the required format of input.

formatProvider
IFormatProvider

An object that provides culture-specific formatting information.

styles
TimeSpanStyles

A bitwise combination of enumeration values that defines the style elements that may be present in input.

Returns

TimeSpan

A time interval that corresponds to input, as specified by format and formatProvider.

Applies to

ParseExact(ReadOnlySpan<Char>, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified formats, culture-specific format information, and styles. The format of the string representation must match one of the specified formats exactly.

public static TimeSpan ParseExact (ReadOnlySpan<char> input, string[] formats, IFormatProvider? formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles = System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles.None);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (ReadOnlySpan<char> input, string[] formats, IFormatProvider formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles = System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles.None);
static member ParseExact : ReadOnlySpan<char> * string[] * IFormatProvider * System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles -> TimeSpan
Public Shared Function ParseExact (input As ReadOnlySpan(Of Char), formats As String(), formatProvider As IFormatProvider, Optional styles As TimeSpanStyles = System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles.None) As TimeSpan

Parameters

input
ReadOnlySpan<Char>

A span that specifies the time interval to convert.

formats
String[]

An array of standard or custom format strings that define the required format of input.

formatProvider
IFormatProvider

An object that provides culture-specific formatting information.

styles
TimeSpanStyles

A bitwise combination of enumeration values that defines the style elements that may be present in input.

Returns

TimeSpan

A time interval that corresponds to input, as specified by formats, formatProvider, and styles.

Applies to

ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified format, culture-specific format information, and styles. The format of the string representation must match the specified format exactly.

public:
 static TimeSpan ParseExact(System::String ^ input, System::String ^ format, IFormatProvider ^ formatProvider, System::Globalization::TimeSpanStyles styles);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string format, IFormatProvider formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string format, IFormatProvider? formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles);
static member ParseExact : string * string * IFormatProvider * System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles -> TimeSpan
Public Shared Function ParseExact (input As String, format As String, formatProvider As IFormatProvider, styles As TimeSpanStyles) As TimeSpan

Parameters

input
String

A string that specifies the time interval to convert.

format
String

A standard or custom format string that defines the required format of input.

formatProvider
IFormatProvider

An object that provides culture-specific formatting information.

styles
TimeSpanStyles

A bitwise combination of enumeration values that defines the style elements that may be present in input.

Returns

TimeSpan

A time interval that corresponds to input, as specified by format, formatProvider, and styles.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

styles is an invalid TimeSpanStyles value.

ArgumentNullException

input is null.

FormatException

input has an invalid format.

OverflowException

input represents a number that is less than TimeSpan.MinValue or greater than TimeSpan.MaxValue.

-or-

At least one of the days, hours, minutes, or seconds components in input is outside its valid range.

Examples

The following example uses the ParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider) method to parse several string representations of time intervals using various format strings and cultures. It also uses the TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative value to interpret each string as a negative time interval. The output from the example illustrates that the TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative style affects the return value only when it is used with custom format strings.

using System;
using System.Globalization;

public class Example
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      string intervalString, format;
      TimeSpan interval;
      CultureInfo culture = null;
      
      // Parse hour:minute value with custom format specifier.
      intervalString = "17:14";
      format = "h\\:mm";
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      }      
      
      // Parse hour:minute:second value with "g" specifier.
      intervalString = "17:14:48";
      format = "g";
      culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse hours:minute.second value with custom format specifier.     
      intervalString = "17:14:48.153";
      format = @"h\:mm\:ss\.fff";
      culture = null;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 

      // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      // and current (en-US) culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153";
      format = "G";
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
            
      // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with a custom format specifier.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153";
      format = @"d\:hh\:mm\:ss\.fff";
      culture = null;
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      // and fr-FR culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48,153";
      format = "G";
      culture = new CultureInfo("fr-FR");
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 

      // Parse a single number using the "c" standard format string. 
      intervalString = "12";
      format = "c";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        null, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse a single number using the "%h" custom format string. 
      format = "%h";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        null, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
      
      // Parse a single number using the "%s" custom format string. 
      format = "%s";
      try {
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        null, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval);
      }   
      catch (FormatException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format);
      }   
      catch (OverflowException) {
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString);
      } 
   }
}
// The example displays the following output:
//    '17:14' (h\:mm) --> -17:14:00
//    '17:14:48' (g) --> 17:14:48
//    '17:14:48.153' (h\:mm\:ss\.fff) --> -17:14:48.1530000
//    '3:17:14:48.153' (G) --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//    '3:17:14:48.153' (d\:hh\:mm\:ss\.fff) --> -3.17:14:48.1530000
//    '3:17:14:48,153' (G) --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//    '12' (c) --> 12.00:00:00
//    '12' (%h) --> -12:00:00
//    '12' (%s) --> -00:00:12

open System
open System.Globalization

do
    // Parse hour:minute value with custom format specifier.
    let intervalString = "17:14"
    let format = "h\\:mm"
    let culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse hour:minute:second value with "g" specifier.
    let intervalString = "17:14:48"
    let format = "g"
    let culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse hours:minute.second value with custom format specifier.     
    let intervalString = "17:14:48.153"
    let format = @"h\:mm\:ss\.fff"
    let culture = null
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"

    // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
    // and current (en-US) culture.     
    let intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
    let format = "G"
    let culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
        
    // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with a custom format specifier.     
    let intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
    let format = @"d\:hh\:mm\:ss\.fff"
    let culture = null
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
    // and fr-FR culture.     
    let intervalString = "3:17:14:48,153"
    let format = "G"
    let culture = new CultureInfo("fr-FR")
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"

    // Parse a single number using the "c" standard format string. 
    let intervalString = "12"
    let format = "c"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse a single number using the "%h" custom format string. 
    let format = "%h"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
    
    // Parse a single number using the "%s" custom format string. 
    let format = "%s"
    try
        let interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, null, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"'{intervalString}' ({format}) --> {interval}"
    with 
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Bad Format for '{format}'"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"'{intervalString}': Overflow"
// The example displays the following output:
//    '17:14' (h\:mm) --> -17:14:00
//    '17:14:48' (g) --> 17:14:48
//    '17:14:48.153' (h\:mm\:ss\.fff) --> -17:14:48.1530000
//    '3:17:14:48.153' (G) --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//    '3:17:14:48.153' (d\:hh\:mm\:ss\.fff) --> -3.17:14:48.1530000
//    '3:17:14:48,153' (G) --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
//    '12' (c) --> 12.00:00:00
//    '12' (%h) --> -12:00:00
//    '12' (%s) --> -00:00:12

Imports System.Globalization

Module Example
   Public Sub Main()
      Dim intervalString, format As String
      Dim interval As TimeSpan
      Dim culture As CultureInfo = Nothing
      
      ' Parse hour:minute value with custom format specifier.
      intervalString = "17:14"
      format = "h\:mm"
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try      
      
      ' Parse hour:minute:second value with "g" specifier.
      intervalString = "17:14:48"
      format = "g"
      culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse hours:minute.second value with custom format specifier.     
      intervalString = "17:14:48.153"
      format = "h\:mm\:ss\.fff"
      culture = Nothing
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 

      ' Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      ' and current (en-US) culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
      format = "G"
      culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
            
      ' Parse days:hours:minute.second value with a custom format specifier.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48.153"
      format = "d\:hh\:mm\:ss\.fff"
      culture = Nothing
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse days:hours:minute.second value with "G" specifier 
      ' and fr-FR culture.     
      intervalString = "3:17:14:48,153"
      format = "G"
      culture = New CultureInfo("fr-FR")
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 

      ' Parse a single number using the "c" standard format string. 
      intervalString = "12"
      format = "c"
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        Nothing, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse a single number using the "%h" custom format string. 
      format = "%h"
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        Nothing, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
      
      ' Parse a single number using the "%s" custom format string. 
      format = "%s"
      Try
         interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(intervalString, format, 
                                        Nothing, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}' ({1}) --> {2}", intervalString, format, interval)
      Catch e As FormatException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Bad Format for '{1}'", intervalString, format)
      Catch e As OverflowException
         Console.WriteLine("'{0}': Overflow", intervalString)
      End Try 
   End Sub
End Module
' The example displays the following output:
'    '17:14' (h\:mm) --> -17:14:00
'    '17:14:48' (g) --> 17:14:48
'    '17:14:48.153' (h\:mm\:ss\.fff) --> -17:14:48.1530000
'    '3:17:14:48.153' (G) --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
'    '3:17:14:48.153' (d\:hh\:mm\:ss\.fff) --> -3.17:14:48.1530000
'    '3:17:14:48,153' (G) --> 3.17:14:48.1530000
'    '12' (c) --> 12.00:00:00
'    '12' (%h) --> -12:00:00
'    '12' (%s) --> -00:00:12

Remarks

The ParseExact method parses the string representation of a time interval, which must be in the format defined by the format parameter, except that leading and trailing white-space characters are ignored. Because input must conform to the format of format exactly, you should always use exception handling when converting a string input by the user to a time interval. If you prefer not to use exception handling, you can call the TryParseExact(String, String, IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles, TimeSpan) method instead.

The format parameter is a string that contains either a single standard format specifier, or one or more custom format specifiers that define the required format of input. For more information about valid format strings, see Standard TimeSpan Format Strings and Custom TimeSpan Format Strings.

Important

The ParseExact method uses the conventions of the culture specified by the formatProvider parameter only if format is a standard TimeSpan format string whose value is either "g" or "G". The "c", "t", and "T" standard format strings use the formatting conventions of the invariant culture. Custom format strings define the precise format of the input string and use literal characters to separate the components of a time interval.

The formatProvider parameter is an IFormatProvider implementation that provides culture-specific information about the format of the returned string if format is a standard format string. The formatProvider parameter can be any of the following:

If formatProvider is null, the DateTimeFormatInfo object that is associated with the current culture is used.

The styles parameter affects the interpretation of strings that are parsed using custom format strings. It determines whether input is interpreted as a negative time interval only if a negative sign is present (TimeSpanStyles.None), or whether it is always interpreted as a negative time interval (TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative). If TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative is not used, format must include a literal negative sign symbol (such as "\-") to successfully parse a negative time interval.

See also

Applies to

ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles)

Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs
Source:
TimeSpan.cs

Converts the string representation of a time interval to its TimeSpan equivalent by using the specified formats, culture-specific format information, and styles. The format of the string representation must match one of the specified formats exactly.

public:
 static TimeSpan ParseExact(System::String ^ input, cli::array <System::String ^> ^ formats, IFormatProvider ^ formatProvider, System::Globalization::TimeSpanStyles styles);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string[] formats, IFormatProvider formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles);
public static TimeSpan ParseExact (string input, string[] formats, IFormatProvider? formatProvider, System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles styles);
static member ParseExact : string * string[] * IFormatProvider * System.Globalization.TimeSpanStyles -> TimeSpan
Public Shared Function ParseExact (input As String, formats As String(), formatProvider As IFormatProvider, styles As TimeSpanStyles) As TimeSpan

Parameters

input
String

A string that specifies the time interval to convert.

formats
String[]

An array of standard or custom format strings that define the required format of input.

formatProvider
IFormatProvider

An object that provides culture-specific formatting information.

styles
TimeSpanStyles

A bitwise combination of enumeration values that defines the style elements that may be present in input.

Returns

TimeSpan

A time interval that corresponds to input, as specified by formats, formatProvider, and styles.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

styles is an invalid TimeSpanStyles value.

ArgumentNullException

input is null.

FormatException

input has an invalid format.

OverflowException

input represents a number that is less than TimeSpan.MinValue or greater than TimeSpan.MaxValue.

-or-

At least one of the days, hours, minutes, or seconds components in input is outside its valid range.

Examples

The following example calls the ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles) method to convert each element of a string array to a TimeSpan value. The strings can represent a time interval in either the general short format or the general long format.

In addition, the example changes the way in which the time interval parsing methods interpret a single digit. Ordinarily, a single digit is interpreted as the number of days in a time interval. Instead, the %h custom format string is used to interpret a single digit as the number of hours. For this change to be effective, note that the %h custom format string must precede the other format strings in the formats array. Also note from the output that the TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative flag specified in the method call is used only when parsing a string with this format specifier.

using System;
using System.Globalization;

public class Example
{
   public static void Main()
   {
      string[] inputs = { "3", "16:42", "1:6:52:35.0625", 
                          "1:6:52:35,0625" }; 
      string[] formats = { "%h", "g", "G" };
      TimeSpan interval;
      CultureInfo culture = new CultureInfo("de-DE");
      
      // Parse each string in inputs using formats and the de-DE culture.
      foreach (string input in inputs) {
         try {
            interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(input, formats, culture,
                                           TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative);
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> {1:c}", input, interval);
         }
         catch (FormatException) {
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Bad Format", input);
         }      
         catch (OverflowException) {
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Overflow", input);   
         }            
      }
   }
}
// The example displays the following output:
//       3 --> -03:00:00
//       16:42 --> 16:42:00
//       1:6:52:35.0625 --> Bad Format
//       1:6:52:35,0625 --> 1.06:52:35.0625000

open System
open System.Globalization

let inputs = 
    [| "3"; "16:42"; "1:6:52:35.0625"; "1:6:52:35,0625" |] 
let formats = [| "%h"; "g"; "G" |]
let culture = CultureInfo "de-DE"

// Parse each string in inputs using formats and the de-DE culture.
for input in inputs do
    try
        let interval = 
            TimeSpan.ParseExact(input, formats, culture, TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
        printfn $"{input} --> {interval:c}"
    with
    | :? FormatException ->
        printfn $"{input} --> Bad Format"
    | :? OverflowException ->
        printfn $"{input} --> Overflow"
// The example displays the following output:
//       3 --> -03:00:00
//       16:42 --> 16:42:00
//       1:6:52:35.0625 --> Bad Format
//       1:6:52:35,0625 --> 1.06:52:35.0625000

Imports System.Globalization

Module Example
   Public Sub Main()
      Dim inputs() As String = { "3", "16:42", "1:6:52:35.0625", 
                                 "1:6:52:35,0625" } 
      Dim formats() As String = { "%h", "g", "G" }
      Dim interval As TimeSpan
      Dim culture As New CultureInfo("de-DE")
      
      ' Parse each string in inputs using formats and the de-DE culture.
      For Each input As String In inputs
         Try
            interval = TimeSpan.ParseExact(input, formats, culture, 
                                           TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative)
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> {1:c}", input, interval)   
         Catch e As FormatException
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Bad Format", input)   
         Catch e As OverflowException
            Console.WriteLine("{0} --> Overflow", input)   
         End Try            
      Next
   End Sub
End Module
' The example displays the following output:
'       3 --> -03:00:00
'       16:42 --> 16:42:00
'       1:6:52:35.0625 --> Bad Format
'       1:6:52:35,0625 --> 1.06:52:35.0625000

Remarks

The ParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles) method parses the string representation of a time interval, which must be in one of the formats defined by the formats parameter, except that leading and trailing white-space characters are ignored. Because input must exactly conform to one of the formats specified in formats, you should always use exception handling when converting a string input by the user to a time interval. If you prefer not to use exception handling, you can call the TryParseExact(String, String[], IFormatProvider, TimeSpanStyles, TimeSpan) method instead.

The formats parameter is a string array whose elements consist of either a single standard format specifier, or one or more custom format specifiers that define the required format of input. For more information about valid format strings, see Standard TimeSpan Format Strings and Custom TimeSpan Format Strings. input must correspond exactly to a member of formats for the parse operation to succeed. The parse operation attempts to match input to each element in formats starting with the first element in the array.

Important

The ParseExact method uses the conventions of the culture specified by the formatProvider parameter only if the format string used to parse input is a standard TimeSpan format string whose value is either "g" or "G". The "c", "t", and "T" standard format strings use the formatting conventions of the invariant culture. Custom format strings define the precise format of the input string and use literal characters to separate the components of a time interval.

The formatProvider parameter is an IFormatProvider implementation that provides culture-specific information about the format of the returned string if the format string used to parse input is a standard format string. The formatProvider parameter can be any of the following:

If formatProvider is null, the DateTimeFormatInfo object that is associated with the current culture is used.

The styles parameter affects the interpretation of strings that are parsed using custom format strings. It determines whether input is interpreted as a negative time interval only if a negative sign is present (TimeSpanStyles.None), or whether it is always interpreted as a negative time interval (TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative). If TimeSpanStyles.AssumeNegative is not used, format must include a literal negative sign symbol (such as "\-") to successfully parse a negative time interval.

See also

Applies to