# format(_:) Creates a locale-aware string representation from a relative date value. ``` func format(_ v: Range) -> String ``` ## Parameters `v` The date range to format. ## Return Value A string representation of the date range. ## Discussion The [`format(_:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Date/RelativeFormatStyle/format(_:)) instance method generates a string from the provided relative date. After you create a style, you can use it to format dates multiple times. The following example applies a format style multiple times to produce string representations of relative dates: ```swift if let pastWeek = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .day, value: -7, to: Date()) { if let pastDay = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .day, value: -1, to: Date()) { let formatStyle = Date.RelativeFormatStyle( presentation: .named, unitsStyle: .spellOut, locale: Locale(identifier: "en_GB"), calendar: Calendar.current, capitalizationContext: .beginningOfSentence) formatStyle.format(pastDay) // "Yesterday" formatStyle.format(pastWeek) // "Last week" } } ``` --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)