5 Ways To Convert Epoch Time In Excel

Intro

In the realm of data analysis, working with dates and times is a common task. However, sometimes the data is not in a user-friendly format, such as epoch time. Epoch time, also known as Unix time, is a system for describing instants in time, defined as the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). In this article, we will explore five ways to convert epoch time in Excel, making it easier to work with and understand your data.

Understanding Epoch Time

Before we dive into the conversion methods, it's essential to understand how epoch time works. Epoch time is calculated as the number of seconds that have passed since the Unix epoch, which is January 1, 1970, at 00:00:00 UTC. This means that if you have a value like 1643723400, it represents the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Unix epoch.

Method 1: Using the DATE Function

One of the simplest ways to convert epoch time in Excel is by using the DATE function. The DATE function takes three arguments: year, month, and day. To convert epoch time, you can use the following formula:

=DATE(1970,1,1)+A1/86400

Assuming the epoch time is in cell A1, this formula adds the number of seconds to the Unix epoch date (January 1, 1970) and returns the result in a date format.

Using the DATE function to convert epoch time

Method 2: Using the EPOCH Function (Excel 2019 and later)

In Excel 2019 and later versions, you can use the EPOCH function to convert epoch time. The EPOCH function takes one argument: the epoch time value. The syntax is:

=EPOCH(A1)

Assuming the epoch time is in cell A1, this formula returns the date and time in a user-friendly format.

Using the EPOCH function to convert epoch time

Method 3: Using the Power Query Editor

Power Query is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to manipulate and transform data. You can use the Power Query Editor to convert epoch time by following these steps:

  1. Select the column containing the epoch time values.
  2. Go to the "Data" tab in the ribbon.
  3. Click on "From Table/Range" in the "Get & Transform Data" group.
  4. In the Power Query Editor, click on "Add Column" in the "Home" tab.
  5. Select "Custom Column" from the drop-down menu.
  6. Enter the following formula: = DateTime.FromUnixTimeEpoch([Epoch Time])
  7. Click "OK" to create the new column.
Using the Power Query Editor to convert epoch time

Method 4: Using VBA Macros

If you're comfortable with VBA macros, you can create a custom function to convert epoch time. Here's an example code:

Function ConvertEpochTime(epochTime As Long) As Date
    ConvertEpochTime = DateAdd("s", epochTime, #1/1/1970#)
End Function

To use this function, follow these steps:

  1. Press "Alt + F11" to open the VBA Editor.
  2. In the "Insert" menu, click on "Module" to create a new module.
  3. Paste the code into the module.
  4. Save the module.
  5. Return to your Excel worksheet.
  6. Enter the following formula: =ConvertEpochTime(A1)

Assuming the epoch time is in cell A1, this formula returns the date and time in a user-friendly format.

Using a VBA macro to convert epoch time

Method 5: Using Online Tools

If you don't want to use any of the above methods, you can use online tools to convert epoch time. There are many online epoch time converters available, such as EpochConverter or UnixTime. Simply copy and paste the epoch time value into the online tool, and it will return the date and time in a user-friendly format.

Using an online tool to convert epoch time

Gallery of Epoch Time Conversion Methods

Final Thoughts

Converting epoch time in Excel can be a daunting task, but with the right methods, it can be done easily. In this article, we explored five ways to convert epoch time in Excel, including using the DATE function, the EPOCH function, the Power Query Editor, VBA macros, and online tools. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, there's a method that suits your needs. So next time you encounter epoch time in your data, don't panic – just use one of these methods to convert it to a user-friendly format.

We'd love to hear from you!

Have you ever encountered epoch time in your data? How did you convert it? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

Jonny Richards

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