When using the Import Data utility with Import Format Type: "DataEase 5.x - 8.x" the date field values are lost.
if the original data is exported as Variable length text delimited format the date values import works.

Anyone know how to get round this issue other than using the delimited text option?

Same issue found on DE 7 and LegEasy 9  (was not an issue before on DE6 & earlier)

LE9 beta 7292 still has the same issue with previous version dates on dbm import

This is put on a list but as this code has not been touched more or less since 7.x it's not a priority.

Importing from DataEase files is an obsolete functionality as most people export data for import rather than exchange database files.

We haven't tested this but we think this has been like this since the switch from 6.x to 7.x as there was a lot of trouble with date configuration in DE6 hence migrating the data correctly was a problem.

The problem with the export to delimited format is that the number of records that can be exported is limited. For tables with more than 500 000 records it often fails with an insufficient memory error. This can be sorted by filtering and exporting the data in smaller sets.
Delimited text format export with tables containing complex derivation virtual fields is very slow and/or fails. The remedy for this is to remove the virtual derivation before export.

The DE dbm import is a lot faster as it does not require the initial export and is not affected by virtual derivations.
DE DBM import from DE7 into DE9 also has the same date field values lost issue.

What process du you use for exporting?

From experience we know that your app is quite big and complex so you might experience problems most users never experience.

Do you use DQL with .export, execdql export or the built in export feature?

Mostly the built in export.
DQL export is slower and has similar memory failure issues.