Time Zones

[CindyZ]

I am using an App that shows dates/times for events.  I look at the event from my computer and it shows the time for the event in EST and it shows three hours different from my co-worker in California in the PST.  Works perfectly!   We would both be where we need to be at the correct time. 

It is possible promo pages for these events may be printed and then posted or shared electronically, so it is important I convey what time zone the event is printed from.  

Yes, someone from the East Coast could see the PST item in print, but not likely and even if they did, that the time is noted as PST, than we have communicated clearly the time of the event. 

I just want my hard copy (screen shot) to say 11:00 AM EST while her hard copy would say "8:00 AM PST". 

Is there a formula I can put on a label that reflects the time zone in EST, PST or other similar, common letters.  I know we can use UTC, but most people -- including me, don't quickly translate UTC. 

Or other suggestions to avoid confusion. 

Thank you.  

[WarrenBelz · Accepted solution]

Hi @CindyZ ,

You need the TimeZoneOffset function, which returns the difference between the user's PC and UTC.

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[CindyZ]

Thanks, Warren, for your help.  I used the recommended function and it works as expected.

But, what I'm looking for is for it to return the date I've entered as shown on the bottom row -- where it is followed by PST - which is the time zone in which the date/time was recorded/entered yet show me, the time as EST which is what I'm viewing -- but it needs to indicate EST.

  

If, in the absence of the ability to do what I'd like, what would I use to record the date it was entered in a way that it does not change based upon my computer settings or PST. 

So, if I'm on the Pacific coast, I'd enter my time as 9:00 am PST.  If someone on the east coast views it, it looks identical- it would show 9:00 am PST.  

[WarrenBelz]

@CindyZ ,

This is a mathematical problem (not a coding one), so put your thinking hat on.

The data source (I assume SharePoint) will store the time in the Time Zone it is set for, so that is the first thing you need to know. You will then also know its TimeZoneOffset, which gives you the number of minutes that UTC is behind/ahead of the user's PC. Using the example that PST is 7 hours (420 minutes) behind UTC, meaning the result of TimeZoneOffset(Now()) would be 420 (UTC is 420 minutes ahead). EST is 4 hours (240 minutes) ahead, meaning the difference of three hours (which you had already noted).

Assuming the server is at PST, the correct time on any PC in the world will be 

DateAdd(
    YourDateTimeField,
    TimeZoneOffset(Now()) - 420,
    Minutes
)

The problem here if that is posted on an EST PC, you will see it as 3 hours earlier than their post.

Please have a think about all of that - happy to go through it with you.  I am in one time zone (Australian Eastern), so have never really had to tackle this.

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[CindyZ]

Oh my gosh!  And I don't mean that in a bad way AT ALL!  

Thank you for your great explanation - I walked through it (even if it was math which I'm terrified of)!  My dilemma is that I am trying to accommodate print. 

So, are you aware of a formula to have it show the time recorded on the computer so it reflects that computer time;  the PDT or the EST -- which I would think it would recognize -- maybe?    A way to show the time zone shown as a part of the time? 

Also, thanks for your very kind offer to walk through this.  I think I'm good for now. 

I keep thinking surely what I need exists, but I can't seem to find it.   

[WarrenBelz]

Thanks @CindyZ ,

The problem for me is that I cannot test anything as my server and pc are in the same time zone as are all of my users. You will have a conundrum (I have seen posts on this before) to the data you actually write to the list as it will be wrong for one or the other looking at it.

[CindyZ]

So, it sounds like I cannot do what I want.  Thank you ever so much for your guidance on this.  I really appreciate your time and effort!  

Cinidy