Unix Epoch time is a common way to represent time in computing, but understanding it can be a bit tricky. If you find yourself needing to convert Unix Epoch time to a more readable date format in Google Sheets, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll guide you through the process step by step.
Firstly, what exactly is Unix Epoch time? Well, Unix Epoch time is the number of seconds that have elapsed since 00:00:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on January 1, 1970. It's a standard way that computers track time, but not the most human-friendly format.
To convert Unix Epoch time to a more familiar date format in Google Sheets, you'll need to employ a simple formula. Here's how you can do it:
1. Cell Setup: In your Google Sheets spreadsheet, enter the Unix Epoch time value that you want to convert into a cell. Let's say your Unix Epoch time value is in cell A1.
2. Conversion Formula: In an empty cell where you want the date to appear, enter the following formula:
=TO_DATE(A1/86400+DATE(1970,1,1))Let's break down the formula:
- `A1/86400`: Here, we're dividing the Unix Epoch time value in cell A1 by 86,400, which is the number of seconds in a day. This division converts the time value from seconds to days.
- `DATE(1970,1,1)`: This part represents the Unix Epoch start date, January 1, 1970.
- `TO_DATE()`: This function in Google Sheets converts a serial number into a date format.
3. Press Enter: After entering the formula, hit Enter, and Google Sheets will calculate the converted date for you.
Voila! You should now see the Unix Epoch time converted into a more familiar date format in your spreadsheet.
It's important to note that Google Sheets stores dates and times as serial numbers, where they count days since December 30, 1899. Therefore, when you convert Unix Epoch time to date in Google Sheets, it's utilizing this underlying system to display the date correctly.
So the next time you need to work with Unix Epoch time values in your Google Sheets projects, remember this handy conversion technique. It can save you time and effort, especially if you're dealing with large datasets or automating time-related calculations.
I hope this article has been helpful in demystifying the process of converting Unix Epoch time to date in Google Sheets. With a simple formula and a few clicks, you can easily transform those numerical timestamps into meaningful dates. Happy spreadsheeting!