Formatting TimeSpan in C#

How can I format a Date Difference in C# using timespan.subtract

Here is what I have so far, I need it to return in hh:mi format

If there is an easier way to do it other than timespan im open to it. I just have to return this to the user in an hh:mi format. Even (negative times) -hh:mi if the time returned is negative.

Thanks

DateTime startTime = new DateTime(); 
 DateTime endTime = new DateTime();
 TimeSpan conflictDuration = new TimeSpan();

startTime = 03/28/2011 11:45;
endTime =   03/28/2011 1:47;

conflictDuration = endTime.Subtract(startTime);

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jmpatton

Asked: 2011-03-23

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1 Solution

LVL 22

p_davisCommented: 2011-03-23

string formatted = endTime.Subtract(startTime).ToString("hh:mm");

LVL 86

Mike TomlinsonMiddle School Assistant TeacherCommented: 2011-03-23

Unfortunately the TimeSpan() class doesn't accept a format in ToString() so you have to manually extract the values and put them together yourself. =\

Here's one way:

conflictDuration = endTime.Subtract(startTime);
string formatted = (conflictDuration.TotalMilliseconds < 0 ? "-" : "") + Math.Abs(conflictDuration.Hours).ToString("00") + ":" + Math.Abs(conflictDuration.Minutes).ToString("00");
MessageBox.Show(formatted);

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LVL 22

p_davisCommented: 2011-03-23

poo, i don't know what the heck i was thinking.

LVL 86

Mike TomlinsonMiddle School Assistant TeacherCommented: 2011-03-23

I've often wondered why they didn't implement a ToString() overload that accepts a format for the TimeSpan...it would make perfect sense to me! =)

LVL 22

p_davisCommented: 2011-03-23

it would be hard for a span that was more than a day, i guess?

LVL 23

wdosanjosCommented: 2011-03-23

BTW, TimeSpan.ToString(format) is available in .NET 4:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd992632.aspx

So, p_davis' answer is correct as long as it's .NET 4.

I hope this helps.

LVL 86

Mike TomlinsonMiddle School Assistant TeacherCommented: 2011-03-23

Woohoo! Thanks for update wdosanjos. =)

You have to escape the ":" though like this:

Dim dtA As DateTime = DateTime.Now
        Dim dtB As DateTime = dtA.AddDays(Math.PI)
        Dim ts As TimeSpan = dtB.Subtract(dtA)
        Label1.Text = ts.ToString("dd\:hh\:mm\:ss")

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*This is different than the DateTime.ToString() method which is perfectly happy accepting an un-escaped colon!

LVL 22

p_davisCommented: 2011-03-23

what is this dim you speak of??? ;p

LVL 86

Mike TomlinsonMiddle School Assistant TeacherCommented: 2011-03-23

Hahaha...grrrr....I'm always forgetting what ZONE I'm in! =)

In not as beautiful as VB.Net, the C# equivalent would be: *wink*

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            DateTime dtA = DateTime.Now;
            DateTime dtB = dtA.AddDays(Math.PI);
            TimeSpan ts = dtB.Subtract(dtA);
            label1.Text = ts.ToString(@"dd\:hh\:mm\:ss");
        }

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