> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.workflow.dog/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Date from Text

> Parse a date from a natural-language expression.

**Date from Text** understands phrases such as `in 2 days`, `next Friday`, or
`tomorrow at 9am`.

## Inputs

| Input             | Type        | Required | Description                                      |
| ----------------- | ----------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Expression**    | String      | Yes      | Natural-language date or time to parse.          |
| **Starting Date** | Date & Time | No       | Reference instant. Defaults to the current time. |
| **Timezone**      | String      | Yes      | Timezone used to interpret the expression.       |

## Output

| Output   | Type        | Description         |
| -------- | ----------- | ------------------- |
| **Date** | Date & Time | The parsed instant. |

For predictable results, make the phrase explicit:

```text theme={null}
next Friday at 9:00 AM
```

Set **Starting Date** in tests so relative phrases do not change from one run
to the next.

<Warning>
  Natural-language parsing is experimental and can interpret ambiguous phrases
  differently than intended. The action fails with `Couldn't parse date` when it
  cannot recognize the expression.
</Warning>