* Date Format

[chatty90]

I am new to Family Historian. I was a Family Tree Maker user for many years but have become very frustrated with the program so am switching. I don't like the date format in Family Historian and I can't figure out how to change it. Instead of it saying Feb 16, 1794, I want it to be February 16, 1794. How can I make the program do that? I have read the help menu but still can't figure it out.
Thank you.

[Gowermick]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
Like you I switched from FTM, and must re-assure you that you made the right move. There may be a steepish learning curve, as FH does things slightly differently, albeit better, but it will soon feel familiar.
Your first post is simple to answer
Got to Tool/Preferences, and on the General tab, you'll find options to change the date style as well as lots of other settings.
I suggest you have a look at all the other tabs while you're there, and you'll get a real feel of how to set up FH as you wish, and how customisable it is.
Mike

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG (again). Mike's advice is perfectly correct.

Your current date format <month> <day> <year> suggests you have your PC configured for United States format.
Is that what you prefer?
Have you updated to Windows 10 and finished up with that format?
Would you like your PC altered to United Kingdom format <day> <month> <year>?

BTW: As a newcomer I advise you study our how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers and follow its links into our extensive Knowledge Base.

[chatty90]

I did go to tools and have it set to preferred standard date as mmm dd, yyyy which should mean the date is the way I want it but it still abbreviates the month. I want the month spelled out.

[tatewise]

Ah, I see what you mean.
Unfortunately, in most contexts, FH unconditionally uses its COMPACT format.

Exceptions include Diagrams and Narrative Reports and Records Window/Named List/Query Result Set Columns where the Date Format can be customised using qualifiers.
In the Help > Search Help enter Date Formats, click List Topics, select the Date Formats topic, and click Display.

But, as I said, those qualifiers only apply in limited scenarios.

[chatty90]

Thank you. At least now I know I'm not crazy and it just won't do what I want it to. I've really liked Family Tree Maker but have had so many problems with it that I got frustrated and am making the switch. So far I like FH. It's just taking some getting used to and I miss some of my FTM options. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks sometimes. I am in Michigan, USA so don't want my format different. Again thank you. I can now stop trying to figure out how to change my date!

[Gowermick]

As an aside, in Openoffice and other office products, some of the custom date format options available are

'dd mm yy' to give 16 02 99
'dd mmm yy' to give 16 feb 99
'dd mmmm yyyy' to give 16 february 1999
I don't know if FH uses these formats, try experimenting with number of d's and m's to see if they make a difference.
I'm not at my PC at present, so don't know how customisable the date formats are within FH, but worth a try.

Mike L

EDIT Just tried on my PC, and found that unfortunately, one can only select pre-defined formats, without customised formats, so sadly 'mmmm' is not an option - perhaps one for a wish list?