Convert Epoch Time To Human Readable Format In Excel

Converting epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel is a common task, especially when working with data from external sources or programming languages that often use epoch time as a standard for representing dates and times. In this article, we will delve into the importance of epoch time, its definition, and how to convert it into a more understandable format in Excel.

The Importance of Epoch Time

Epoch time, also known as Unix epoch time, is a widely used method for representing time. It is defined as the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The reason for choosing this date as the starting point is somewhat arbitrary but has become the standard for Unix-based systems and many other operating systems.

Epoch time is important for several reasons:

• It provides a simple way to represent dates and times using a single number.
• It is not subject to daylight saving time (DST) adjustments, making it easier to work with across different regions.
• It allows for easy arithmetic calculations when dealing with dates and times.

Converting Epoch Time to Human-Readable Format in Excel

Excel does not natively support epoch time as a date format. However, there are several ways to convert epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel.

Method 1: Using the DATE and TIME Functions

You can use the DATE and TIME functions in Excel to convert epoch time to a human-readable format. Here is the formula:

= (A1 / 86400) + 25569

Where A1 is the cell containing the epoch time.

Here's how it works:

• A1 / 86400 converts the epoch time to days by dividing the number of seconds by the number of seconds in a day (86400).
• + 25569 adds the number of days from the epoch start date (January 1, 1970) to the start of the Excel date range (January 1, 1900).

For example, if you have an epoch time of 1643723400 in cell A1, the formula would return the date February 3, 2022.

Method 2: Using VBA Macro

You can also use a VBA macro to convert epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel. Here is an example code:

Function ConvertEpochTime(epochTime As Long) As Date
    ConvertEpochTime = DateAdd("s", epochTime, "1970-01-01")
End Function

You can use this function in your Excel worksheet by entering the formula:

=ConvertEpochTime(A1)

Where A1 is the cell containing the epoch time.

Method 3: Using Power Query

If you are using Excel 2010 or later, you can use Power Query to convert epoch time to a human-readable format. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Power Query Editor by going to the "Data" tab and clicking on "From Other Sources" > "From Microsoft Query".
2. Create a new query by clicking on "New Query" and selecting "From Other Sources" > "From Microsoft Query".
3. In the Query Editor, click on "Add Column" and select "Custom Column".
4. In the "Custom Column" dialog box, enter the following formula:

= DateTime.From( #date(1970,1,1) + #duration(seconds, [Epoch Time]))

Where [Epoch Time] is the column containing the epoch time.

5. Click "OK" to add the new column.
6. Load the query into your Excel worksheet by clicking on "Load" > "Load To".

Method 4: Using TEXT Function

You can also use the TEXT function in Excel to convert epoch time to a human-readable format. Here is the formula:

=TEXT((A1 / 86400) + 25569, "yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss")

Where A1 is the cell containing the epoch time.

This formula converts the epoch time to a date and time string in the format "yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss".

Gallery of Converting Epoch Time to Human-Readable Format in Excel:

Converting Epoch Time to Human-Readable Format in Excel Image Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about converting epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel:

• What is epoch time?

  Epoch time is the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC.

• Why is epoch time used?

  Epoch time is used because it provides a simple way to represent dates and times using a single number.

• How do I convert epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel?

  There are several methods to convert epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel, including using the DATE and TIME functions, VBA macro, Power Query, and TEXT function.

• What is the formula for converting epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel?

  The formula for converting epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel is = (A1 / 86400) + 25569, where A1 is the cell containing the epoch time.

• Can I use a VBA macro to convert epoch time in Excel?

  Yes, you can use a VBA macro to convert epoch time in Excel.

• Can I use Power Query to convert epoch time in Excel?

  Yes, you can use Power Query to convert epoch time in Excel.

• What is the benefit of using Power Query to convert epoch time in Excel?

  The benefit of using Power Query to convert epoch time in Excel is that it allows for easy data manipulation and analysis.

• Can I use the TEXT function to convert epoch time in Excel?

  Yes, you can use the TEXT function to convert epoch time in Excel.

• What is the benefit of using the TEXT function to convert epoch time in Excel?

  The benefit of using the TEXT function to convert epoch time in Excel is that it allows for easy formatting of the date and time string.

Conclusion

Converting epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel is a common task that can be accomplished using various methods, including using the DATE and TIME functions, VBA macro, Power Query, and TEXT function. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, and the choice of method depends on the specific requirements of the task. By understanding the different methods for converting epoch time to a human-readable format in Excel, you can easily manipulate and analyze data in your spreadsheets.