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Date field in imported data

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    Date field in imported data

    Help
    I am importing a text file into Alpha 5 where the date field is in the format "01 Dec 03" ( without the quotation marks ).
    How can I convert this field into an A5 date field so that I can perform date calculations, sorting etc.

    Thanks

    #2
    RE: Date field in imported data

    Alan,

    One approach would be to add a new DATE type field to your receiving table. Leave it blank when the import is done.

    Then after the import is done, run an update operation to populate the new date type field using field values from the text field equivalent.

    Assume the text field equivalent is named TMP, an expression like this would return an equivalent date value,
    assuming your text field values are rigidly formatted as 01 Dec 03

    ctod(Case(substr(TMP,4,3) = "Jan", "01", substr(TMP,4,3) = "Dec","12")+ "/"+ left(TMP,2)+"/"+right(TMP,2))

    The expression I've written could handle Jan and Dec values. You'll need to extend the Case() statement to cover the other 10 months. Check the functions reference if you don't know how Case() works.

    -- tom

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      #3
      RE: Date field in imported data

      Alan, if you have MS-Excel avaialable you could import your data into the workbook first, reformat the cell for the date format you need and then save the spreadsheet as a Version 4 MS-Excel Spreadsheet. I used the Genie in Alpha to import the spreadsheet and it was a bit messed up. It kept showing my date column as 8 digits when it was actually 10 and it would not let me change it even if I didn't use the Genie. In the long run I just used the Genie anyway and finishe the import ad somehow it imported corectly. Go figure! Anyway, I hope Tom's or my suggestion wil get you by.

      MW

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