DateEntry

DateEntry is a form-ready calendar date input that combines a text field with a picker popup.

It behaves like other v2 entry controls (message, validation, localization, events), while making date entry fast and consistent using a calendar picker when needed. If you are building forms or dialogs, DateEntry is usually your default date input.

Quick start

import bootstack as bs

app = bs.App()

due = bs.DateEntry(
    app,
    label="Due date",
    value="2025-12-31",
    message="Pick a date or type one",
)
due.pack(fill="x", padx=20, pady=10)

app.mainloop()

When to use

Use DateEntry when:

• users need to enter calendar dates reliably

• you want both typing and a picker UI

• validation and formatting should be consistent with other field controls

Consider a different control when:

• you need time-of-day input — use TimeEntry

• the value is "date-like" but not an actual calendar date — use TextEntry

• date selection should be modal (dialog-based) — use DateDialog

Appearance

accent

bs.DateEntry(app, label="Due date")  # primary (default)
bs.DateEntry(app, label="Due date", accent="secondary")
bs.DateEntry(app, label="Due date", accent="success")
bs.DateEntry(app, label="Due date", accent="warning")

Examples and patterns

Value model

DateEntry uses the standard text vs committed value model.

current = due.value
raw = due.get()

Common options

Formatting: value_format

Commit-time formatting shared with other field controls:

bs.DateEntry(app, label="Short Date", value="March 14, 1981", value_format="shortDate").pack()
bs.DateEntry(app, label="ISO Format", value="2025-01-15", value_format="yyyy-MM-dd").pack()

See Guides → Formatting for all date presets and custom ICU patterns.

Add-ons

d = bs.DateEntry(app, label="Birthday")
d.insert_addon(bs.Label, position="before", icon="cake-fill")

Events

DateEntry emits the standard field events:

• <<Input>> / on_input

• <<Changed>> / on_changed

• <<Valid>>, <<Invalid>>, <<Validated>>

def handle_changed(event):
    print("changed:", event.data)

due.on_changed(handle_changed)

Validation

Common validation patterns:

• required date

• not in the past

• within a window (e.g., next 90 days)

d = bs.DateEntry(app, label="Date", required=True)
d.add_validation_rule("required", message="A date is required")

Behavior

Picker behavior

• Click the calendar button — opens the picker

• Click a day — commits the date and closes the popup

• Escape — closes the popup without committing

Localization

DateEntry supports locale-aware date formatting through the value_format option. Dates are displayed according to the current locale's conventions (date order, separators, month names).

Reactivity

DateEntry integrates with the signals system for reactive data binding. Changes to the field value can automatically propagate to other parts of your application.

Additional resources

Related widgets

• TimeEntry — time input control
• TextEntry — general field control with validation and formatting
• DateDialog — modal date selection
• Calendar — standalone calendar widget
• Form — build forms from field definitions

Framework concepts

• Formatting — date presets and custom patterns
• Localization — internationalization and formatting
• Signals — reactive data binding

API reference

• bootstack.DateEntry