Question: This is not asking how to convert an arbitrary string to datetime in MSSQL such as [this question](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/207190/sql-server-string-to-date-conversion).

I can control the string format but I want to know what the MSSQL syntax is for updating a datetime field using a date string.

Answer: 
```
UPDATE MyTable SET MyDate = CONVERT(datetime, '2009/07/16 08:28:01', 120)

```

For a full discussion of CAST and CONVERT, including the different date formatting options, see the MSDN Library Link below:

<https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/functions/cast-and-convert-transact-sql>
For instance you can use

```
update tablename set datetimefield='19980223 14:23:05'
update tablename set datetimefield='02/23/1998 14:23:05'
update tablename set datetimefield='1998-12-23 14:23:05'
update tablename set datetimefield='23 February 1998 14:23:05'
update tablename set datetimefield='1998-02-23T14:23:05'

```

You need to be careful of day/month order since this will be language dependent when the year is not specified first. If you specify the *year first* then there is no problem; date order will always be year-month-day.