Working with timezones in Baserow

Timezone support in Baserow enables seamless global collaboration; ensuring teams across continents see dates in their local time or share a unified time reference, preventing scheduling conflicts and data confusion.

This guide explains how Baserow handles timezones in date fields, including displaying dates across timezones, setting timezones for collaborators, and using timezone formulas.

Overview

Baserow stores all dates and times in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) internally, ensuring consistent data regardless of where users are located. However, you can configure how dates display to users through timezone settings that convert UTC storage to meaningful local times.

Timezone configuration happens at the field level, giving you flexibility to show some date fields in users’ local timezones while displaying others in a specific shared timezone. This dual approach supports both global coordination (meeting times displayed in each user’s timezone) and location-specific requirements (store hours always shown in the store’s timezone).

Understanding timezone handling prevents common pitfalls like scheduling meetings at the wrong time, misinterpreting deadlines across time zones, or displaying confusing date values to international teams.

How Baserow stores and displays dates

Internal storage (UTC)

All dates are stored in UTC regardless of your timezone or how dates display in your tables. This universal storage format ensures:

• Data consistency: The same stored value represents the same moment worldwide
• Accurate calculations: Time differences and date arithmetic work correctly
• Import/export reliability: Data transfers preserve exact timestamps
• API integration: External systems receive standardized UTC values

Display format (configured per field)

While storage uses UTC, display can show dates in two ways based on date field configuration:

User’s local timezone (default):

• Each collaborator sees dates converted to their device’s timezone
• A meeting at “3:00 PM” appears as 3 PM in New York, 8 PM in London, 9 AM in Tokyo
• Best for: Collaborative scheduling, deadline tracking, global event management

Fixed timezone for all users:

• All collaborators see dates in the same specified timezone regardless of location
• A store opening at “9:00 AM Pacific” shows as 9 AM Pacific for everyone
• Best for: Location-specific times, business hours, regional events

Timezone configuration methods

Method	Complexity	Use case	Applies to
Field setting	Consistent timezone for entire field	All rows in that field
Formula (todate_tz)	Dynamic timezone based on conditions	Calculated per row
User’s local time	Show times in each user’s timezone	Default behavior

How to set a timezone for a date field

Configure a specific timezone that all collaborators will see for a particular date field.

To set a fixed timezone:

1. Click the dropdown arrow next to your date field name
2. Select Edit field from the menu
3. In the field configuration panel, enable Set timezone for all collaborators
4. Select your desired timezone from the dropdown (e.g., “America/New_York,” “Europe/London”)
5. Click Save to apply the timezone

The default timezone is GMT/UTC. After setting a timezone, all users see dates in that timezone regardless of their location.

Example: Set your “Store Opening Time” field to “America/Los_Angeles” so all team members see Pacific Time, whether they’re in California, New York, or Tokyo.

How to use timezone formulas

Use the todate_tz formula function to display dates in different time zones based on row-specific conditions or to create multiple timezone representations. Returns the first argument converted into a date, given a date format string as the second argument and the timezone provided as the third argument.

todate_tz function syntax

todate_tz('date_value', 'format', 'timezone')

Parameters:

• date_value: Date string or field reference to convert
• format: Date format pattern (see date format guide)
• timezone: Target timezone (see supported timezones)

Example formulas:

// Convert a date string to Amsterdam time
todate_tz('20210101', 'YYYYMMDD', 'Europe/Amsterdam')

// Convert a field value to Tokyo time
todate_tz(field('Event Date'), 'YYYY-MM-DD', 'Asia/Tokyo')

// Conditional timezone based on region field
if(field('Region')='Europe', 
   todate_tz(field('Date'), 'YYYY-MM-DD', 'Europe/London'),
   todate_tz(field('Date'), 'YYYY-MM-DD', 'America/New_York'))

Use cases for timezone formulas

Multi-region operations: Display event times in regional headquarters’ timezones based on a region field.

Timezone conversion tables: Create fields showing the same time in multiple timezones (Event Time UTC, Event Time EST, Event Time JST).

Historical data migration: Convert dates from old systems that used different timezone conventions.

Compliance requirements: Show audit timestamps in specific regulatory timezones while storing in UTC.

Timezone behavior with filters and exports

Filtering by date with timezones

When using date filters, Baserow evaluates based on the configured timezone:

• Field with user’s local time: Filter evaluates against the user’s current timezone
• Field with fixed timezone: Filter evaluates against that timezone
• UTC field: Filter evaluates against UTC

This ensures “show me today’s appointments” returns correct results regardless of timezone configuration.

Exporting dates with timezones

Copy and paste:

• If Show timezone is enabled in field configuration, copied values include timezone offset
• Example: “2025-01-15 14:00:00 EST” instead of “2025-01-15 14:00:00”

CSV/Excel export:

• Exported dates include timezone information if configured
• Format depends on the field’s timezone and format settings
• Import tools can preserve timezone data for round-trip integrity

Common timezone scenarios

Scenario 1: Global team scheduling

Challenge: Schedule a meeting for team members in New York, London, and Tokyo.

Solution: Use a date field with the user’s local time (default). Enter “2:00 PM EST” and each person sees it in their local time: 2 PM EST, 7 PM GMT, 3 AM JST.

Scenario 2: Store operating hours

Challenge: Display consistent store hours for retail locations regardless of where employees are viewing.

Solution: Set field timezone to store’s timezone (e.g., “America/Chicago”). All employees see “9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Central” regardless of their location.

Scenario 3: Multi-region event management

Challenge: The Company has events in multiple regions, each needing a local time display.

Solution: Use todate_tz formula with the region field to display the appropriate timezone per event.

Scenario 4: Historical timestamp auditing

Challenge: Compliance requires showing when actions occurred in a specific regulatory timezone.

Solution: Create a formula field converting the Created On field to the regulatory timezone using todate_tz.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I change a field’s timezone setting?

Baserow recalculates the display for all dates in that field immediately. The underlying UTC storage never changes; only the display conversion changes. This means you can switch timezones freely without losing data accuracy.

Can I have different timezones for different views of the same table?

No, timezone configuration is field-level, not view-level. All views show the same timezone for a given field. To display multiple timezones simultaneously, create separate formula fields using todate_tz for each timezone needed.

How does Baserow handle daylight saving time changes?

Baserow uses the IANA timezone database which includes DST rules for all supported timezones. Dates automatically adjust for DST transitions; a meeting scheduled for “2:00 PM Eastern” displays correctly whether during EST or EDT.

What timezone is used when I create a new date field?

By default, new date fields use the user’s device timezone (detected automatically from browser settings). You can immediately change this to a fixed timezone or leave it as user-local based on your needs.

Can I use timezone formulas in date fields or only in formula fields?

The todate_tz function works only in formula fields. Regular date fields use the timezone setting in their configuration panel. For dynamic timezone behavior, create a formula field that references your date field.

What happens to time zones when importing data?

During CSV/Excel import, specify if your data includes timezone information. Baserow attempts to parse timezone offsets and convert to UTC storage. If no timezone is specified, Baserow assumes UTC or prompts you to specify the source timezone.

Can I display different time zones for dates in the same field?

Baserow can’t display different time zones for dates in the same field. A date field uses the same timezone for all values. By default, this will be the browser’s timezone unless you specify one in the settings. A date field requires a single timezone to function properly.

Supported timezones

Baserow supports all standard IANA timezone identifiers. Select from the timezone dropdown in field configuration or reference them in todate_tz formulas.

Click to view complete list of supported timezones

Africa

Africa/Abidjan, Africa/Accra, Africa/Addis_Ababa, Africa/Algiers, Africa/Asmara, Africa/Bamako, Africa/Bangui, Africa/Banjul, Africa/Bissau, Africa/Blantyre, Africa/Brazzaville, Africa/Bujumbura, Africa/Cairo, Africa/Casablanca, Africa/Ceuta, Africa/Conakry, Africa/Dakar, Africa/Dar_es_Salaam, Africa/Djibouti, Africa/Douala, Africa/El_Aaiun, Africa/Freetown, Africa/Gaborone, Africa/Harare, Africa/Johannesburg, Africa/Juba, Africa/Kampala, Africa/Khartoum, Africa/Kigali, Africa/Kinshasa, Africa/Lagos, Africa/Libreville, Africa/Lome, Africa/Luanda, Africa/Lubumbashi, Africa/Lusaka, Africa/Malabo, Africa/Maputo, Africa/Maseru, Africa/Mbabane, Africa/Mogadishu, Africa/Monrovia, Africa/Nairobi, Africa/Ndjamena, Africa/Niamey, Africa/Nouakchott, Africa/Ouagadougou, Africa/Porto-Novo, Africa/Sao_Tome, Africa/Tripoli, Africa/Tunis, Africa/Windhoek

Americas

America/Adak, America/Anchorage, America/Anguilla, America/Antigua, America/Araguaina, America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires, America/Argentina/Catamarca, America/Argentina/Cordoba, America/Argentina/Jujuy, America/Argentina/La_Rioja, America/Argentina/Mendoza, America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos, America/Argentina/Salta, America/Argentina/San_Juan, America/Argentina/San_Luis, America/Argentina/Tucuman, America/Argentina/Ushuaia, America/Aruba, America/Asuncion, America/Atikokan, America/Bahia, America/Bahia_Banderas, America/Barbados, America/Belem, America/Belize, America/Blanc-Sablon, America/Boa_Vista, America/Bogota, America/Boise, America/Cambridge_Bay, America/Campo_Grande, America/Cancun, America/Caracas, America/Cayenne, America/Cayman, America/Chicago, America/Chihuahua, America/Costa_Rica, America/Creston, America/Cuiaba, America/Curacao, America/Danmarkshavn, America/Dawson, America/Dawson_Creek, America/Denver, America/Detroit, America/Dominica, America/Edmonton, America/Eirunepe, America/El_Salvador, America/Fort_Nelson, America/Fortaleza, America/Glace_Bay, America/Godthab, America/Goose_Bay, America/Grand_Turk, America/Grenada, America/Guadeloupe, America/Guatemala, America/Guayaquil, America/Guyana, America/Halifax, America/Havana, America/Hermosillo, America/Indiana/Indianapolis, America/Indiana/Knox, America/Indiana/Marengo, America/Indiana/Petersburg, America/Indiana/Tell_City, America/Indiana/Vevay, America/Indiana/Vincennes, America/Indiana/Winamac, America/Inuvik, America/Iqaluit, America/Jamaica, America/Juneau, America/Kentucky/Louisville, America/Kentucky/Monticello, America/Kralendijk, America/La_Paz, America/Lima, America/Los_Angeles, America/Lower_Princes, America/Maceio, America/Managua, America/Manaus, America/Marigot, America/Martinique, America/Matamoros, America/Mazatlan, America/Menominee, America/Merida, America/Metlakatla, America/Mexico_City, America/Miquelon, America/Moncton, America/Monterrey, America/Montevideo, America/Montreal, America/Montserrat, America/Nassau, America/New_York, America/Nipigon, America/Nome, America/Noronha, America/North_Dakota/Beulah, America/North_Dakota/Center, America/North_Dakota/New_Salem, America/Nuuk, America/Ojinaga, America/Panama, America/Pangnirtung, America/Paramaribo, America/Phoenix, America/Port-au-Prince, America/Port_of_Spain, America/Porto_Velho, America/Puerto_Rico, America/Punta_Arenas, America/Rainy_River, America/Rankin_Inlet, America/Recife, America/Regina, America/Resolute, America/Rio_Branco, America/Santarem, America/Santiago, America/Santo_Domingo, America/Sao_Paulo, America/Scoresbysund, America/Sitka, America/St_Barthelemy, America/St_Johns, America/St_Kitts, America/St_Lucia, America/St_Thomas, America/St_Vincent, America/Swift_Current, America/Tegucigalpa, America/Thule, America/Thunder_Bay, America/Tijuana, America/Toronto, America/Tortola, America/Vancouver, America/Whitehorse, America/Winnipeg, America/Yakutat, America/Yellowknife

Antarctica

Antarctica/Casey, Antarctica/Davis, Antarctica/DumontDUrville, Antarctica/Macquarie, Antarctica/Mawson, Antarctica/Palmer, Antarctica/Rothera, Antarctica/Syowa, Antarctica/Troll, Antarctica/Vostok

Asia

Asia/Almaty, Asia/Amman, Asia/Anadyr, Asia/Aqtau, Asia/Aqtobe, Asia/Ashgabat, Asia/Baghdad, Asia/Baku, Asia/Bangkok, Asia/Barnaul, Asia/Beirut, Asia/Bishkek, Asia/Brunei, Asia/Chita, Asia/Choibalsan, Asia/Colombo, Asia/Damascus, Asia/Dhaka, Asia/Dili, Asia/Dubai, Asia/Dushanbe, Asia/Gaza, Asia/Hebron, Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh, Asia/Hong_Kong, Asia/Hovd, Asia/Irkutsk, Asia/Jakarta, Asia/Jayapura, Asia/Jerusalem, Asia/Kabul, Asia/Kamchatka, Asia/Karachi, Asia/Kathmandu, Asia/Khandyga, Asia/Kolkata, Asia/Krasnoyarsk, Asia/Kuala_Lumpur, Asia/Kuching, Asia/Macau, Asia/Magadan, Asia/Makassar, Asia/Manila, Asia/Nicosia, Asia/Novokuznetsk, Asia/Novosibirsk, Asia/Omsk, Asia/Oral, Asia/Pontianak, Asia/Pyongyang, Asia/Qatar, Asia/Qyzylorda, Asia/Riyadh, Asia/Sakhalin, Asia/Samarkand, Asia/Seoul, Asia/Shanghai, Asia/Singapore, Asia/Srednekolymsk, Asia/Taipei, Asia/Tashkent, Asia/Tbilisi, Asia/Tehran, Asia/Thimphu, Asia/Tokyo, Asia/Tomsk, Asia/Ulaanbaatar, Asia/Urumqi, Asia/Ust-Nera, Asia/Vladivostok, Asia/Yakutsk, Asia/Yekaterinburg, Asia/Yerevan

Atlantic

Atlantic/Azores, Atlantic/Bermuda, Atlantic/Canary, Atlantic/Cape_Verde, Atlantic/Faroe, Atlantic/Madeira, Atlantic/Reykjavik, Atlantic/South_Georgia, Atlantic/Stanley

Australia

Australia/Adelaide, Australia/Brisbane, Australia/Broken_Hill, Australia/Currie, Australia/Darwin, Australia/Eucla, Australia/Hobart, Australia/Lindeman, Australia/Lord_Howe, Australia/Melbourne, Australia/Perth, Australia/Sydney

Europe

Europe/Amsterdam, Europe/Andorra, Europe/Astrakhan, Europe/Athens, Europe/Belgrade, Europe/Berlin, Europe/Brussels, Europe/Bucharest, Europe/Budapest, Europe/Chisinau, Europe/Copenhagen, Europe/Dublin, Europe/Gibraltar, Europe/Helsinki, Europe/Istanbul, Europe/Kaliningrad, Europe/Kiev, Europe/Kirov, Europe/Lisbon, Europe/London, Europe/Luxembourg, Europe/Madrid, Europe/Malta, Europe/Minsk, Europe/Monaco, Europe/Moscow, Europe/Oslo, Europe/Paris, Europe/Prague, Europe/Riga, Europe/Rome, Europe/Samara, Europe/Simferopol, Europe/Sofia, Europe/Stockholm, Europe/Tallinn, Europe/Tirane, Europe/Ulyanovsk, Europe/Uzhgorod, Europe/Vienna, Europe/Vilnius, Europe/Volgograd, Europe/Warsaw, Europe/Zaporozhye, Europe/Zurich

Indian Ocean

Indian/Chagos, Indian/Christmas, Indian/Cocos, Indian/Kerguelen, Indian/Mahe, Indian/Maldives, Indian/Mauritius, Indian/Reunion

Pacific

Pacific/Apia, Pacific/Auckland, Pacific/Bougainville, Pacific/Chatham, Pacific/Chuuk, Pacific/Easter, Pacific/Efate, Pacific/Enderbury, Pacific/Fakaofo, Pacific/Fiji, Pacific/Funafuti, Pacific/Galapagos, Pacific/Gambier, Pacific/Guadalcanal, Pacific/Guam, Pacific/Honolulu, Pacific/Kiritimati, Pacific/Kosrae, Pacific/Kwajalein, Pacific/Majuro, Pacific/Marquesas, Pacific/Nauru, Pacific/Niue, Pacific/Norfolk, Pacific/Noumea, Pacific/Pago_Pago, Pacific/Palau, Pacific/Pitcairn, Pacific/Pohnpei, Pacific/Port_Moresby, Pacific/Rarotonga, Pacific/Tahiti, Pacific/Tarawa, Pacific/Tongatapu, Pacific/Wake, Pacific/Wallis

Other

GMT, UTC

Related content

• Date and time fields - Learn about date field types and formatting
• Formula field reference - Explore all formula functions
• Field configuration - Customize field settings
• Date format options - Available date format patterns
• Filters with dates - Create date-based filters

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