topic Re: Character Date to numeric date in Discussions

Character Date to numeric date

SamKing — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 22:58:28 GMT

I apologize because I see this question asked in other ways before but I can't seem to follow the solutions. Perhaps my date format is different enough and I'm not keen enough on scripting yet to figure out where I'm going wrong. I'm using JMP 17.

I've attached a simple table where you will see a column of Dates that looks like a correct format but JMP only recognizes it as character. I can change to numeric but when attempt to make it a m/d/y h:m type format then it reverts back to character. As a result I cannot get the column to sort properly.

How do I script this to modify from char to numeric m/d/y h:m type format?

Re: Character Date to numeric date

Thierry_S — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 02:29:43 GMT

Hi,

You are on the right track.

1) Specify the data type as Numerical and the Modeling type as Continuous

2) Set the desired appearance format as Time (e.g., m/d/y h:m:s)

3) Check that the Input Format is set to m/d/y h:m:s

Although the dates will appear in a formatted string (see step 2), you will be able to calculate differences using the "date_difference" formula and plot these values as a genuine time scale.

Note: however, if you want the raw time/date code, simply change step 2 to Best Fit

Best,

Re: Character Date to numeric date

pmroz — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 17:37:52 GMT

Just wanted to confirm Thierry's approach. Make sure you include the seconds in the format.

Re: Character Date to numeric date

ResponseLogFox9 — Thu, 15 May 2025 17:10:50 GMT

Mine are still not working. This is what I see:

Re: Character Date to numeric date

txnelson — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:34:57 GMT

my suggestion is to create a new character column

Set the formula in the new column to

:collection date(formatted)

Then remove the formula from the new column. You can do this in the Col Info window. Double click on the column header of the new column and it will open the Col Info window. Click on the formula column property, and then click on Remove

Now attempt to change the new column into a numeric date/time value. It will give you the same warning message. Go ahead and convert the data. Then compare your original column, Collection Date(formatted) to the new column, and see what values are different. That should give you a clue as to what the issue is with the conversion method you are using.