---
title: "DateTimePicker Control"
description: Learn to use the Windows Forms DateTimePicker control to allow the user to select a single item from a list of dates or times.
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "dates [Windows Forms], choosing from a list"
  - "dates [Windows Forms], Windows Forms controls"
  - "DateTimePicker control [Windows Forms]"
  - "date and time picker controls"
ms.assetid: 1dac1fbd-8f67-4910-9ccb-2c5462d0d855
---
# DateTimePicker Control (Windows Forms)
The Windows Forms `DateTimePicker` control allows the user to select a single item from a list of dates or times. When used to represent a date, it appears in two parts: a drop-down list with a date represented in text, and a grid that appears when you click on the down-arrow next to the list.  
  
## In This Section  
 [DateTimePicker Control Overview](datetimepicker-control-overview-windows-forms.md)  
 Introduces the general concepts of the `DateTimePicker` control, which allows users to select a single item from a list of dates or times.  
  
 [How to: Display a Date in a Custom Format with the Windows Forms DateTimePicker Control](display-a-date-in-a-custom-format-with-wf-datetimepicker-control.md)  
 Explains how to use format strings to display dates in a preferred format.  
  
 [How to: Set and Return Dates with the Windows Forms DateTimePicker Control](how-to-set-and-return-dates-with-the-windows-forms-datetimepicker-control.md)  
 Provides steps to set the date in the control and to access the date the user has selected.  
  
 [How to: Display Time with the DateTimePicker Control](how-to-display-time-with-the-datetimepicker-control.md)  
 Shows steps to for a `DateTimePicker` to display times only.  
  
## Reference  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.DateTimePicker>  
 Describes this class and has links to all its members.  
  
 <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MonthCalendar>  
 Describes this class and has links to all its members.  
  
## Related Sections  
 [Controls to Use on Windows Forms](controls-to-use-on-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides a complete list of Windows Forms controls, with links to information on their use.  
  
 [MonthCalendar Control](monthcalendar-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Presents an intuitive graphical interface for users to view and set date information.