Specifying a custom DateTime format when serializing with Json.Net

Question

You are on the right track. Since you said you can't modify the global settings, then the next best thing is to apply the JsonConverter attribute on an as-needed basis, as you suggested. It turns out Json.Net already has a built-in IsoDateTimeConverter that lets you specify the date format. Unfortunately, you can't set the format via the JsonConverter attribute, since the attribute's sole argument is a type. However, there is a simple solution: subclass the IsoDateTimeConverter, then specify the date format in the constructor of the subclass. Apply the JsonConverter attribute where needed, specifying your custom converter, and you're ready to go. Here is the entirety of the code needed:

class CustomDateTimeConverter : IsoDateTimeConverter
{
    public CustomDateTimeConverter()
    {
        base.DateTimeFormat = "yyyy-MM-dd";
    }
}

If you don't mind having the time in there also, you don't even need to subclass the IsoDateTimeConverter. Its default date format is yyyy'-'MM'-'dd'T'HH':'mm':'ss.FFFFFFFK (as seen in the source code).

You could use this approach:

public class DateFormatConverter : IsoDateTimeConverter
{
    public DateFormatConverter(string format)
    {
        DateTimeFormat = format;
    }
}

And use it this way:

class ReturnObjectA 
{
    [JsonConverter(typeof(DateFormatConverter), "yyyy-MM-dd")]
    public DateTime ReturnDate { get;set;}
}

The DateTimeFormat string uses the .NET format string syntax described here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings

It can also be done with an IsoDateTimeConverter instance, without changing global formatting settings:

string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(yourObject,
    new IsoDateTimeConverter() { DateTimeFormat = "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss" });

This uses the JsonConvert.SerializeObject overload that takes a params JsonConverter[] argument.

Also available using one of the serializer settings overloads:

var json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(someObject, new JsonSerializerSettings() { DateFormatString = "yyyy-MM-ddThh:mm:ssZ" });

Or

var json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(someObject, Formatting.Indented, new JsonSerializerSettings() { DateFormatString = "yyyy-MM-ddThh:mm:ssZ" });

Overloads taking a Type are also available.

There is another solution I've been using. Just create a string property and use it for json. This property wil return date properly formatted.

class JSonModel {
    ...

    [JsonIgnore]
    public DateTime MyDate { get; set; }

    [JsonProperty("date")]
    public string CustomDate {
        get { return MyDate.ToString("ddMMyyyy"); }
        // set { MyDate = DateTime.Parse(value); }
        set { MyDate = DateTime.ParseExact(value, "ddMMyyyy", null); }
    }

    ...
}

This way you don't have to create extra classes. Also, it allows you to create diferent data formats. e.g, you can easily create another Property for Hour using the same DateTime.

With below converter

public class CustomDateTimeConverter : IsoDateTimeConverter
    {
        public CustomDateTimeConverter()
        {
            DateTimeFormat = "yyyy-MM-dd";
        }

        public CustomDateTimeConverter(string format)
        {
            DateTimeFormat = format;
        }
    }

Can use it with a default custom format

class ReturnObjectA 
{
    [JsonConverter(typeof(CustomDateTimeConverter))]
    public DateTime ReturnDate { get;set;}
}

Or any specified format for a property

class ReturnObjectB 
{
    [JsonConverter(typeof(CustomDateTimeConverter), "dd MMM yy")]
    public DateTime ReturnDate { get;set;}
}