Daniel Finnie wrote: > I would create a time object and then format it how you like. > > Time.parse(string).strftime(format_string) > > Look up the docs for Time#strftime to determine the format string. Guys - thanks a lot. It works just great!! Here the snipped: ValidDate = File.open("someFile.txt").readlines.to_s.grep(/Not After/) #puts 'Certificate is valid ' + ValidDate.to_s CertValidDate = Time.parse(ValidDate.to_s).strftime("%Y-%d-%m") #puts CertValidDate Now I can do my comparison with actualDate and CertValidDAte and I am able to create an alarm. Thanks!!! bye Henry -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.