topic Re: Unable to Convert Character Column to Continuous Date Format Using JSL in Discussions

Unable to Convert Character Column to Continuous Date Format Using JSL

ClassDendrogram — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:37:26 GMT

Hello,

I have an input table with a column TEST_START_DATETIME that JMP initially recognizes as a Character/Nominal Data/Modeling Type as shown below.

I can set this column as a continuous date/time format type using the Column Info dialog.

Note the text is shifted to the right, indicating it's a cell.

However, when I try to do this in JSL I get an empty column. It looks like it converted the column to numeric type before applying the format type, causing it to get deleted.

dt = Current Data Table();

dt << Begin Data Update;
	dt:TEST_START_DATETIME << Data Type("Numeric");
	dt:TEST_START_DATETIME << Modeling Type("Continuous");
	dt:TEST_START_DATETIME << Input Format("Format Pattern", "<YYYY>_<MM>_<DD>-<hh24>_<mm>_<ss>");
	dt:TEST_START_DATETIME << Format("Format Pattern", "<YYYY>_<MM>_<DD>-<hh24>_<mm>_<ss>");
dt << End Data Update;

What could I be doing wrong?

Re: Unable to Convert Character Column to Continuous Date Format Using JSL

jthi — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 05:29:19 GMT

You are doing << Data Type("Numeric") first -> it will be converted to number too early. Do it manually in JMP, look at the log and copy the script.

// Change column info: Column 1
Data Table("Untitled"):Column 1 << Set Data Type(
	Numeric,
	Format("Format Pattern", "<DD><-><MM><-><YYYY> <hh24><::><mm><::><ss>", 19, 0),
	Input Format("Format Pattern", "<DD><-><MM><-><YYYY> <hh24><::><mm><::><ss>", 0)
) << Set Modeling Type("Continuous");

Scripting Index also has an example on how to change data type while applying formatting

Re: Unable to Convert Character Column to Continuous Date Format Using JSL

ClassDendrogram — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:19:31 GMT

Thanks! I looked at the output log, copied the same script and it now works when run as a standalone script. I didn't know that the log window could be used to see commands invoked through GUI in real time.

dt = Current Data Table();


dt:TEST_START_DATETIME << Set Data Type(
		Numeric,
		Format( "Format Pattern", "<YYYY>_<MM>_<DD>-<hh24>_<mm>_<ss>", 19, 0 ),
		Input Format( "Format Pattern", "<YYYY>_<MM>_<DD>-<hh24>_<mm>_<ss>", 0 )
	) << Set Modeling Type( "Continuous" );