Invalid type NaN, use Date” Error When Using N/format

Introduction

When working with the N/format module in NetSuite, you may sometimes encounter the error:

“Invalid type NaN, use Date”

This error typically occurs when trying to format a value that is not recognized as a valid Date object. It usually happens when passing an undefined, null, or incorrectly formatted string instead of a proper Date object.

In this article, we will explore the common causes of this error and the best ways to resolve it.

Why Does This Error Occur?

The N/format module in NetSuite requires a valid Date object when using format.format(). If the value passed is not a valid date, NetSuite throws an error.

For example, consider the following code:

function formattedDate(selectedDate, dateFormat) {
    return format.format({
        value: selectedDate, // Potential issue if selectedDate is not a Date object
        type: format.Type.DATE,
        format: dateFormat
    });
}

If selectedDate is undefined, null, or an invalid string (e.g., "2024/02-30"), the function will fail with the “Invalid type NaN, use Date” error.

How to Fix It?

To prevent this error, ensure that the input is always a valid Date object before formatting. Here are different ways to fix this issue:

1. Use format.parse() to Convert a String to a Date

If your selectedDate is a string, you can convert it using format.parse():

function formattedDate(selectedDate, dateFormat) {
    try {
        let dateObj = format.parse({
            value: selectedDate,
            type: format.Type.DATE
        });

        return format.format({
            value: dateObj,
            type: format.Type.DATE,
            format: dateFormat
        });
    } catch (e) {
        log.error("Error formatting date", e.message);
        return null;
    }
}

This method ensures that the string is properly converted into a Date object before formatting.

2. Use new Date() to Ensure a Valid Date Object

If selectedDate might be a string or timestamp, you can explicitly convert it using new Date():

function formattedDate(selectedDate, dateFormat) {
    try {
        let dateObj = new Date(selectedDate);
        if (isNaN(dateObj.getTime())) {
            throw new Error("Invalid date input: " + selectedDate);
        }

        return format.format({
            value: dateObj,
            type: format.Type.DATE,
            format: dateFormat
        });
    } catch (e) {
        log.error("Error formatting date", e.message);
        return null;
    }
}

This approach ensures that even if selectedDate is a string, it is converted into a proper Date object before formatting.

3. Use Moment.js for Advanced Date Parsing

If working with complex date formats, you can use Moment.js (if available in your NetSuite environment):

function formattedDate(selectedDate, dateFormat) {
    try {
        let dateObj = moment(selectedDate, "YYYY-MM-DD").toDate();

        return format.format({
            value: dateObj,
            type: format.Type.DATE,
            format: dateFormat
        });
    } catch (e) {
        log.error("Error formatting date", e.message);
        return null;
    }
}

Using Moment.js ensures flexibility in handling various date formats and conversions.

Conclusion

The “Invalid type NaN, use Date” error occurs in NetSuite’s N/format module when an invalid date value is passed. The best way to resolve it is by:

• Using format.parse() to convert strings to Date objects.
• Using new Date() and validating the input before formatting.
• Leveraging Moment.js for advanced date parsing if needed.