Data Problem

[Nils Titley]

I tried getting help with this before and did not get it resolved.

Here is the problem. I am processing data files in a .CSV format. These
files are processed in South Africa where they use the date format:
dd/mm/yyyy. When I process the file if the dates are in a General Format
there is no problem with the dates. But we have found that some of the files
have mixed format where the dates are in General Format and some are in Date
Format. The date format is the problem.

Example: 12/01/2008 South Africa is actually Jan 12, 2008

In General format, when I process the data and write the date to a
worksheet, the date is still 12/01/08 formatted to dd/mm/yy.
If the data is in Date Format, the date printed then becomes 01/12/08 or Dec
1, 2008. Because Excel thinks the date is Dec 1, 2008.

I need some one that is good with dates!

Thanks

 

[Joel]

The best solution is to format the cells where you have dates before you
import the data. The problem is that some cells will change and other won't
bewcause some dates are illegal. If you can figure out which dates need to
be revversed this code will help

old_date = DateValue("3/10/08")
MyMonth = Month(old_date)
Myday = Day(old_date)
new_date = DateSerial(Year(old_date), Myday, MyMonth)

 

[Nils Titley]

Joel,

I can not format the cells before I import the data. How would I know which
dates are in the wrong format. The CSV files come from a third party in the
format that they are. I am processing 90 to 180 separate data files that are
placed in a folder. My macro takes one file at a time and process the data.
I don't know which dates need converting for the same reason.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for looking.

 

[Joel]

Just some ideas
1) Format worksheet to general format before importing data
2) Format certain columns in General format before importing data.
I assume dates only go in certain columns

 

[Nils Titley]

Joel,

That will not work either. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Net_prof]

Unless there is some other indicator in the record to help you determine when
the use what format, you will continue to experience this problem.

You need to work with the source to identify the problem and involve them in
the solution. Without their help, this is why you are continuing to
experience the problem. I've worked with a lot of EDI where this is also an
issue. The old adage, "garbage in, garbage out" pertains here without both
sides working towards fixing the problem.

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Nils Titley]

Is there a way to check what format a cell is set to or the data is set to?

Right now the correct cells or data are set to General. If I know that the
cell or data was set to date format, I could convert the data only those
dates.

I am not sure we are going to be able to get the data converted on a regular
basis. Many people are using the data that is generated by the third party.
Though I realize that is the best way.

Thanks for your help.

 

[NateBuckley]

Couldn't you just read in the CSV files and put the dates into a field that
is set to TEXT format, then you could use the SPLIT function using the "/"
character as the diliminator. Then just have

newDay = splitArray(0)
NewMonth = splitArray(1)
NewYear = splitArray(2)

or something along those lines?

 

[Nils Titley]

I like the split function idea because the dates are not dd/mm/yyyy they
could be d/m/yyyy but the split would take care of that.

But I need help with determining the format. If the format is general, I do
not have to do anythiing. It is only when the dates in the CSV file are in
TEXT format that I need to process them with the split function.

How do I determine the format?

Thanks for your help