How to import dates i.e. 25-12-08

[ML2008]

How can I import dates from Excel formated as 25-12-08 into a Filemaker date field? Right now I get an "?" in the Filemaker date field after the import.

[Vaughan]

A lot depends on how consistently the date is formatted in Excel.

Easiest method IMHO is to import into a temporary table, put the "date" into a text field. Create a calculation field that parses out the "words" for day, month and year and assemble them into the Date() function. Then export the data using the calculated Date field.

[ML2008]

Actually what I need to accomplish is to have Filemaker recognize the value "25/12/2008" as 25 December 2008.

[Lee Smith]

Actually what I need to accomplish is to have Filemaker recognize the value "25/12/2008" as 25 December 2008.

25/12/2008 can not be recognized by FileMaker as a Date.

Displaying a date as 25 December 2008 is a Format available in Layout Mode.

Once you realize that the text that you see as a date, will need to be converted in order for FileMaker to use it as a Date, then to Display it as you want, will be a piece of cake.

BTW, your first example used hyphens to separate the date, and this one is with slashes. If the data is different like this, then you will need to post a REAL example.

See if this Link Helps.

Lee

Edited July 2, 2008 by Guest

[comment]

Filemaker will recognize "25/12/2008" or "25-12-08" as a valid date in December if:

• your computer is set to use the d/m/y format AND your file is set to use current system settings (under File > File Options...)

OR

• your file was created on a computer set to use the d/m/y format AND the file is set to use file's saved settings.

Although it's possible to change the settings temporarily to import the dates, I would NOT recommend this. Filemaker remembers the dates 'as-entered' and the original format sometimes surfaces in unexpected places, e.g. in value lists. It's best to import the data into a text field and use a calculation to parse it out into a valid date. Another option is to do the transformation in Excel before importing.

[ML2008]

The solution provided by comment works perfectly.