Oracle sql convert timestamp into format

Question

I have a timestamp column 'ts'. I need to convert it into the format:

'DD-MON-YYYY hh24:mi'.

I used this to complete the requirement:

to_char(ts, 'DD-MON-YYYY hh24:mi').

The problem is this returns a String. I am using Oracle Apex and outputting everything in a table. The table allows sorting. Now when I sort it sorts the column as a string and not as a date, so the sorting is not accurate. How can I convert a timestamp into the format I need while still being a timestamp/date field (any type as long as it accurately will sort by real dates).

Answer 1

Since you are already calling the table output the

select to_char(ts,...) as formatteddate, original_date

columns but then in the sort do the following:

ORDER BY original_date

Answer 2

@sstan is right. There are four date formats that can be set at the workspace level, and at the application level: Application Date Format, Application Date Time Format, Application Timestamp Format, and Application Timestamp Time Zone Format. That way your timestamp stays a timestamp and so it sorts correctly. Select the application, click on the Edit Application Properties button (top rightish), click on the Globalization button (top leftish), and there you can set the date formats.