excel convert unix timestamp

Guri Bee

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22-10-2024

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Unlocking Hidden Dates: How to Convert Unix Timestamps in Excel

Have you ever encountered a string of numbers in your Excel data that looked suspiciously like a date, but couldn't decipher its meaning? These cryptic numbers could be Unix timestamps, a numerical representation of a point in time that's commonly used in web development and other technical fields. Fear not, Excel users! This article will guide you through the simple steps to convert Unix timestamps into human-readable dates.

What are Unix Timestamps?

A Unix timestamp is a number that represents the number of seconds that have elapsed since the beginning of the Unix epoch, which is January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). While this system may seem cryptic at first, it offers a standardized way to represent dates and times across various platforms and systems.

Converting Unix Timestamps in Excel

Here are two methods to convert Unix timestamps in Excel:

Method 1: Using the DATEVALUE Function

1. Understanding the formula: The key to this method is the DATEVALUE function, which converts a text string representing a date into an Excel serial number. We will leverage this function by first converting the Unix timestamp into the number of days since the Unix epoch, and then using DATEVALUE to transform it into a proper date.

2. The Formula:

=DATEVALUE("1970-01-01") + (A1 / 86400)

• A1: Replace A1 with the cell containing your Unix timestamp.
• 86400: This represents the number of seconds in a day (24 hours * 60 minutes * 60 seconds).

Method 2: Using the DATE Function

1. Understanding the formula: The DATE function lets you construct a date based on year, month, and day values. We can utilize this function by first extracting the year, month, and day components from the Unix timestamp and then feeding them into the DATE function.

2. The Formula:

=DATE(1970 + (INT(A1 / (365.25 * 86400))), 1 + (INT((A1 - INT(A1 / (365.25 * 86400)) * 365.25 * 86400)) / (86400 * 30.4375))), 1 + MOD(A1, 86400) / 86400)

• A1: Replace A1 with the cell containing your Unix timestamp.
• 1970: The year of the Unix epoch.
• 365.25: The average number of days in a year, considering leap years.
• 86400: The number of seconds in a day.
• 30.4375: The average number of days in a month.

Choosing the Right Method

Both methods achieve the same result, but the first method using DATEVALUE is generally simpler and easier to understand. However, the second method using DATE might be slightly more accurate, especially when dealing with timestamps spanning longer periods, as it takes leap years into account.

Example and Application

Let's say you have a list of Unix timestamps in column A of your Excel sheet. You can apply either of the above formulas to cell B1, replacing A1 with A1. You can then copy and paste the formula down the entire column B to convert all your timestamps into readable dates.

Additional Tips

• Time Zone Considerations: Unix timestamps are typically expressed in UTC, so the converted dates will also be in UTC. If your data is in a different time zone, you may need to adjust the time accordingly.
• Formatting: You can format the resulting dates in Excel to your liking. For example, you can choose to display only the date, the date and time, or a specific date format.

Conclusion

Unlocking the secrets of Unix timestamps in Excel is now a breeze! By using either the DATEVALUE or DATE function, you can easily transform those cryptic numbers into meaningful dates, enhancing your data analysis and understanding. Happy converting!