Date Formats in ClickUp Imports and Exports

When you move data in or out of ClickUp using CSV files, using the right date and time formats is essential. This how-to guide explains every supported format so your dates import and export cleanly without errors or mismatched values.

The information below is based on the official documentation for date formats used during imports and exports. Follow these guidelines any time you prepare or review CSV files that interact with your workspace.

How ClickUp Interprets Dates in CSV Files

CSV imports and exports rely on consistent, machine-readable formats. When ClickUp reads or writes dates, it uses a specific standard format that you should match in your spreadsheets or data tools.

For all date fields, ClickUp expects a structure based on a four-digit year, followed by a two-digit month, and a two-digit day. You can also include time and time zone information depending on the field and your needs.

Dates must always include the year, month, and day.
Optional parts can include hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.
Time zone offsets can be used when needed to ensure accuracy.

If your CSV dates are not in the supported formats, the system may either fail to import or interpret values incorrectly, which can shift deadlines, start dates, or time tracking entries.

Standard Date Format Used by ClickUp

Across all relevant fields, ClickUp uses the same general pattern for dates. Understanding this pattern will help you format your imports correctly and recognize exported values in your spreadsheets.

Core Date Structure in ClickUp

The base structure for a date looks like this:

YYYY-MM-DD

Where:

YYYY is the four-digit year (for example, 2025).
MM is the two-digit month (01 through 12).
DD is the two-digit day of the month (01 through 31).

This format is used whenever a field requires only a date without a specific time of day, such as some simple due dates or custom date-only fields.

Date and Time Structure in ClickUp

Many fields in ClickUp also store the time of day along with the date. In these cases, the system uses this structure:

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS

The additional components are:

T is a literal separator character between date and time.
HH is the two-digit hour in 24-hour format (00 through 23).
MM is the two-digit minute (00 through 59).
SS is the two-digit second (00 through 59).

The separator T is always required when time is present. This structure appears often in CSV exports from ClickUp for fields like task creation time, due date with time, and completed time.

Including Milliseconds and Time Zones in ClickUp Dates

For very precise tracking, especially in time tracking or activity logs, ClickUp can include milliseconds and a time zone offset. In CSV data, you may see:

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.sssZ
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.sss+HH:MM
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.sss-HH:MM

Where:

sss is milliseconds (three digits, 000 through 999).
Z indicates Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
+HH:MM or -HH:MM represent the offset from UTC.

When you re-import CSV files into ClickUp, using these precise formats ensures that times align correctly with your workspace settings and do not shift due to regional or spreadsheet defaults.

Using ClickUp Date Formats During CSV Import

Preparing CSV files for import requires careful attention to each column that holds date or time-related data. Matching the formats described here is the most important step for a successful upload.

Step-by-Step: Prepare Your CSV for ClickUp

Identify date columns. Locate all columns in your file that represent dates, due dates, start dates, or time tracking entries.
Standardize formats. Convert every value in those columns to the YYYY-MM-DD or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS style that ClickUp expects.
Check time zones. If your data includes time zones, ensure you use the correct offsets or UTC (Z) consistently.
Save as CSV. Export or save your spreadsheet as a plain CSV file, making sure your tool does not reformat the dates to a local style like MM/DD/YYYY.
Run a test import. Import a small sample into ClickUp to confirm that dates appear correctly before importing a full dataset.

Following this process helps prevent issues such as tasks appearing on the wrong day, time tracking entries shifting by hours, or imports failing due to invalid date values.

Common Import Issues With ClickUp Dates

Some frequent issues come from how spreadsheet tools display dates. To avoid problems:

Turn off automatic date formatting where possible.
Use text or custom format fields that match the ClickUp date pattern.
Pay attention when copying or pasting date values between systems.

If an import error message points to a specific column or row, review the corresponding cell to ensure the date value exactly matches the supported formats described above.

Understanding ClickUp Date Formats in CSV Exports

When you export tasks, lists, or reports, ClickUp writes dates using the same underlying structure. Recognizing this format makes it easier to filter, analyze, and transform the data in your favorite spreadsheet or BI tool.

How Exported Dates Appear From ClickUp

Depending on the field, exported date values usually appear as one of the following:

Dates only: YYYY-MM-DD
Dates with time: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS
Dates with milliseconds and time zone: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.sssZ or with an offset

Do not be alarmed by the presence of the T separator or the letter Z. These are part of a standard machine-readable pattern that ensures tools can interpret the values consistently.

Working With Exported Dates From ClickUp

After exporting data from ClickUp:

Import the CSV into your tool. Use your spreadsheet or analytics application and choose the CSV import function.
Set column types. Map date columns as dates or as text, depending on whether your tool recognizes the pattern automatically.
Apply display formats. You can show dates in a different style (for example, DD/MM/YYYY) without changing the underlying value.
Keep raw data intact. If you plan to re-import data into ClickUp later, preserve at least one copy of the original exported columns.

This approach lets you transform and visualize your data freely while still keeping a clean version ready for future imports or automation tasks.

Best Practices for Managing ClickUp Date Formats

To maintain accurate historical data and avoid confusion, create internal standards for how your team handles dates when using CSV files with ClickUp.

Document the exact format YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS for everyone who works with exports.
Train team members to avoid local date styles that conflict with ClickUp expectations.
Store a sample CSV file with correct date fields as a template for future imports.

You can also consult experienced ClickUp specialists to help design processes around importing, exporting, and cleaning data. For expert guidance, you may visit Consultevo, which provides consulting and optimization services for work management platforms.

Where to Learn More About ClickUp Date Formats

For the most detailed and authoritative reference, review the official help center page that describes date formats used during imports and exports. This resource is maintained by the product team and reflects current behavior and supported values.

You can read it directly here: Date formats used during imports and exports.

Using these guidelines, your CSV files will align with the expectations of ClickUp, helping ensure smooth imports, reliable exports, and consistently accurate reporting across your workspace.

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