Display UTC Editor Tracking datetime in local time

Question

We've got some feature classes with editor tracking enabled using UTC time. Is there a way to have ArcMap (10.2.2) show the datetime values from the editor tracking fields in local time? I tried searching for an answer but everything was just about the time slider and ArcGIS Online.

RexRobichaux2 · Answer

Hello Blake,

There are two possible options for enabling editor tracking to record time in database time / local time, by using the dataset's Properties dialog box, or by using the Enable Editor Tracking tool. The following instructions describe these methods.

Using the dataset's Properties dialog box

* Right-click the dataset in the Catalog window and click Properties.

* Click the Editor Tracking tab and check the Enable editor tracking option.
* Set the fields to be updated when a feature is created or edited.

Note:The desired fields must be an existing field with Date data type. Click the Fields tab to define a new field prior to enabling editor tracking. For more information regarding adding a new field, refer to the following web help document, ArcGIS for Desktop Help: Adding fields.

* Specify the dates to be recorded in Database Time.

Using the Enable Editor Tracking tool

The tool allows users to select the local database time for the date field in the attribute table. For more information about the Enable Editor Tracking tool, refer to the following web help document, ArcGIS Help: Enable Editor Tracking.

Note:Unlike enabling the editor tracking in a dataset's properties, the Enable Editor Tracking tool does not require an existing date field. Users can add a new field automatically by checking the Add fields if they don't exist option.

Note:Recording the time in the database’s time zone is recommended only if users are certain all edits are to be performed within the same time zone.

Note:These procedures only change the time option in the set feature class. To enable the editor tracking on multiple feature classes, Python code is required.

I hope this is helpful for you!

Best-

Rex

CharliePhilbrick1 · Answer

As I understand it web services have to use UTC for the date fields created by enableing editor tracking. It's fine by me that date values will be stored in UTC, I can manipulate them later via methods like the 'Convert Time Zone' tool you linked to above. What I'd really like, though, is for my Collector users to be able to see the correct local time and date of when they collected a feature. And I'd like them to be able to see that in real time. This seems like something an arcade expression could handle, but if it can, I haven't figured it out yet.

blake.terhune · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion but I was hoping for an on the fly method without having to make a new field.