To convert a CSV timestamp column to DateTime, import the file into Datablist, open the data converter, select the source column, and choose Convert to Datetime with Timestamp/Unix time as the input format. Preview the result before running the conversion.
A Unix timestamp counts seconds since 1 January 1970 at 00:00 UTC. Some exports use milliseconds instead: 1704067200 and 1704067200000 both represent 1 January 2024 at 00:00 UTC. Datablist's converter accepts either form. If your CSV contains formatted dates such as 01/31/2024 09:30:00, select the matching date pattern instead.
Step 1: Load your CSV file
The first step in converting a CSV timestamp column into DateTime format is to import the CSV file into Datablist. Datablist is a powerful CSV editor with data-cleaning features. Perfect for this task!
Create a collection, choose Import CSV/Excel, and map the timestamp column during import. Keep it as Text or Number until you have checked which format the values use.
Once the CSV file has been imported into Datablist, you can proceed to the next step: converting the timestamp column into DateTime format.
Step 2: Use the "Text <=> DateTime" converter
The next step is to convert the timestamp column into DateTime format. This can be done using the "Text <=> DateTime" converter.
Open Clean > Text <=> Date, Number, etc.
It opens a data converter tool. The converter allows conversion between various types such as Checkbox, Number, DateTime and Text.
Select the timestamp column in Convert data from, then choose Convert to Datetime in Convert To.
The last configuration step is to select the format in which your DateTime values are defined. Here, you have to select "Timestamp/Unix time" if your timestamps are Unix Timestamps. Check the different available formats otherwise. If none of the preset formats match your data, you can write one or more custom DateTime patterns.
📘 Datablist interprets numeric Unix values as seconds or milliseconds based on their magnitude. Check a known row in the preview, especially if your file contains dates far in the future or a mix of formats.
Step 3: Preview and conversion
Then you'll be presented with a preview of the converted data. This allows you to check that the conversion has been performed correctly and that the timestamps are now in the correct format.
Check a known value such as 1704067200 before running the conversion. You can save the DateTime result in a new column to keep the original timestamp available for comparison, or use an existing destination column when appropriate.
Note
If you need to convert back DateTime values to text in another format. Use the same converter tool with "DateTime => Text" settings.