Excel timestamp -> datetime

The timestamp is widely used to record and analyze time-based information, such as financial transactions, online meetings, and event logs. However, dealing with raw timestamp data can be challenging without proper formatting. That’s where Excel comes in handy. Excel enables you to convert timestamps into easily readable time formats. In short, we can use Excel to convert timestamp to time.

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Excel to Convert Timestamp to Time: 4 Easy Methods

We can use Excel to convert timestamp to time. We have discussed 4 methods in this article. Different Excel functions and features are used to convert timestamp to time. We have converted Unix, UTC, and other timestamp formats into time in Excel. We have used the below image initially to convert timestamp to time.

1. Convert Timestamp to Time Using Combination of TIME and MID Functions

We can use the combination of Excel TIME and MID functions to convert timestamp to time. In the dataset, we have text timestamps of 9 digits. The first two digits represent hours, the 4th and 5th digits represent minutes, and the 7th and 8th digits represent seconds. Follow the steps below to convert the timestamps to time.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data in range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and change the Number format to Time.

• Now, you will see the conversion of timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

2. Combine Excel TIME, MID, RIGHT & LEFT Functions to Convert Timestamp to Time

We can combine Excel TIME, MID, RIGHT, and LEFT functions to convert timestamp to time. Simply follow the steps below to convert the timestamps to time.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and change the Number format to Time.
• Now you will see the conversion of timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

3. Use Excel to Convert Unix Timestamp to Time

The Unix timestamp indicates how much time has passed since January 1, 1970 (epoch time). The timestamp can be expressed in both seconds and milliseconds. The timestamp will have 10 digits when it is in seconds. On the other hand, the timestamp will have 13 digits when it is in milliseconds. Here in the dataset, we have 10-digit timestamps (in seconds). We will use Excel to convert the Unix timestamp to the time in the GMT time zone.

3.1. Excel DATE Function to Convert Unix Timestamp to Time

We can use the DATE function to convert Unix timestamp to time. Just follow the steps below to convert the timestamps to time.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and change the Number format to Time.
• Now you will see the conversion of Unix timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

3.2. Apply the CONVERT Function in Excel to Convert Unix Timestamp to Time

We can use the CONVERT function to convert Unix timestamp to time. You need to follow the steps below.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and change the Number format to Time.
• Now you will see the conversion of Unix timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

3.3. Apply VBA in Excel to Convert Unix Timestamp to Time

We can apply Excel VBA to convert Unix timestamp to time. Simply follow the steps below.

• First, you have to launch the VBA macro editor from your workbook. You may Follow this article: How to Write VBA Code in Excel or go to the Developer tab >> Visual Basic.

• Go to Insert >> Module.
• Paste the following code in your VBA Macro Editor.

Sub Timestamp_to_Time()
    Dim myRng As Range
    Dim WS As Worksheet
    Set WS = ActiveSheet
    Set myRng = WS.Range("B5:C14")
    For i = 1 To myRng.Rows.Count
        myRng.Cells(i, 2) = (myRng.Cells(i, 1) / 86400) + 25569
        myRng.Cells(i, 2).NumberFormat = "[$-x-systime]h:mm:ss AM/PM"
    Next i
End Sub

Sub Timestamp_to_Time()

• This line defines a new subroutine called Timestamp_to_Time.

    Dim myRng As Range
    Dim WS As Worksheet

• Two variables are declared. myRng is a variable of type Range and WS is a Worksheet type variable.

    Set WS = ActiveSheet

• This line assigns the active worksheet to the variable WS.

    Set myRng = WS.Range("B5:C14")

• This line assigns the range B5:C14 to the variable myRng.

    For i = 1 To myRng.Rows.Count
        myRng.Cells(i, 2) = (myRng.Cells(i, 1) / 86400) + 25569
        myRng.Cells(i, 2).NumberFormat = "[$-x-systime]h:mm:ss AM/PM"   
    Next i

• A For loop is initiated. Within the loop, the value in the cell at the i-th row and the 1st column of myRng is divided by 86400 (the number of seconds in a day). This division converts the timestamp value to a decimal representation of the date and time. The decimal representation is then added to 25569, which corresponds to the date serial number for January 1, 1970, in Excel’s date system. The resulting value is assigned back to the cell at the i-th row and the 2nd column of myRng, effectively converting the timestamp to a date and time value. The NumberFormat property of the cell is set to “[$-x-systime]h:mm:ss AM/PM” to format the time as “hour:minute:second AM/PM“.

End Sub

• Press the Run button or F5 key to run the code.
• After running the code, you will see the conversion of Unix timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

4. Use Excel Ribbon Options to Convert UTC Timestamp to Time

We can use Excel to convert UTC timestamp to time. Here in the dataset, we have multiple UTC timestamps. We will use different Excel functions and formulas to convert them into time.

4.1. Use Format Cells Option in Excel to Convert UTC Timestamp to Time

We can use the Format Cells option in Excel to convert UTC timestamp to time. Follow these steps.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and right-click.
• Click the Format Cells option from the Context Menu.

• Choose the appropriate time format from the Number tab of Format Cells window and press OK.

• Now you will see the UTC timestamp converted into time in range C5:C14.

4.2. Apply Excel TEXT Function to Convert UTC Timestamp to Time

We can use the TEXT function to convert UTC timestamp to time. Just follow the steps below.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

Now you will see the conversion of UTC timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

4.3. Combine Excel TEXT and TRUNC Functions to Convert UTC Timestamp to Time

We can combine Excel TEXT and TRUNC functions to convert UTC timestamp to time. Follow the steps below.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

You can see the conversion of UTC timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

4.4. Apply Excel TIME with HOUR, MINUTE & SECOND Functions to Convert UTC Timestamp to Time

We can apply the Excel TIME function with HOUR, MINUTE, and SECOND functions to convert UTC timestamps to time. Simply follow the steps below.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and change the Number format to Time.
• Now you will see the conversion of UTC timestamps (range B5:B14) to time in range C5:C14.

4.5. Apply Text to Columns Wizard in Excel to Convert UTC Timestamp to Time

We can apply Text to Columns wizard in Excel to convert UTC timestamp to time. For this method, we have used a 24 hour format UTC timestamp.

Follow the steps below.

• First, select range B5:B14 and go to the Data tab.
• Click on Text to Columns options.

• In Step 1 of 3, choose the Delimited option and press Next.

• In Step 2 of 3, select Space and Treat consecutive delimiters as one option.
• Then, press Next.

• In Step 3 of 3, for the first column, select the Do not import column (skip) and set the Destination to cell C5. Then, press Finish.

• Now, you will see the output time in the range C5:C14.

Convert 13 Digit Timestamp to Date and Time in Excel

The Unix timestamp can be of 13-digits when it is expressed in milliseconds. Here in the dataset, we have 13-digit Unix timestamps. We will use Excel DATE function to convert these 13-digit timestamps to date and time.

Follow the steps below.

• Select cell C5 and enter the formula into the cell.

• Use Fill Handle to Autofill data from range C6:C14.

• Select range C5:C14 and right-click.
• Click the Format Cells option from the Context Menu.

• Choose the appropriate date and time format and press OK.

• Now you will see the conversion of 13-digit timestamps (range B5:B14) to date and time in range C5:C14.

=(C218740/1000 +25200)/86400+DATE(1970,1,1)

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