Automation: some dates are not handled as dates

[Jesse Maxwell]

I am creating an automation to re-open issues after they have been On Hold for 4 weeks. In the rest response for an issue, there is: `statuscategorychangedate: "2020-11-14T11:56:58.128-0600"` which seems perfect. However, date functions (reference) don't work. I use the Log action to show their values but they come back blank. My Log value is: 

{{issue.fields.statuscategorychangedate.mediumDate}} and {{issue.fields.lastViewed.longDate}}

 Only "and" renders in the Audit Log. Comparison functions also don't work. If I remove `mediumDate`, the full string renders in the Log. 

What am I missing here? How can I render this field nicely?

[Bill Sheboy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jesse Maxwell 

I had an earlier support ticket on this, and I was told that Status Category Changed Date was implemented as string rather than as a date/time field for some reason.  If you convert it first it should work:

{{issue.statuscategorychangedate.toDate.mediumDate}}

Last Viewed may have the same issue so try the same thing.

Best regards,

Bill

[Jesse Maxwell]

That was it – thank you!