Template:Dts/doc

 stands for D ate T able S orting and is used to correctly sort and display dates in a sortable table (see Help:Sorting).

What it solves
Normally, for proper sorting, dates must be entered in YYYY-MM-DD format. However, that format does not conform to the Manual of Style for date display.

This template automatically creates the hidden  for sorting purposes and then displays the date like this:
 * July 4, 1776

Input




Also see the examples below.

Output
Output sent to table
 * or

Output displayed to user
 * July 4, 1776 or
 * 4 July 1776

Linking
The template formerly linked dates automatically. To turn linking off the parameter  was used. In accordance with current guidelines linking is no longer supported. Please do not use this parameter. Please remove it from existing transclusions.

Error handling
During early 2009, Template:Dts generated month names for invalid month numbers, such as number 23 displaying "November". No warning is displayed, for the formatted page, that such invalid dates are being used on the page.