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Technical Article   HowTo:  Convert a text field to a date field

Article ID:    31877
Software:     ArcGIS - ArcEditor 10 ArcGIS - ArcInfo 10 ArcGIS - ArcView 10 ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced 10.1, 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.2.2 ArcGIS for Desktop Standard 10.1, 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.2.2 ArcGIS for Desktop Basic 10.1, 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.2.2
Platforms:    N/A
Summary

Starting at the 10.0 version of ArcGIS Desktop, a geoprocessing tool has been included that allows for the conversion of a text field that contains dates or times to a formatted date field.

Instructions provided describe the steps for using the 'Convert Time Field' geoprocessing tool. In this article's example, the time format 'yyyyMMdd' is used. -show me-
Procedure

Open ArcMap and add the layer or table that includes the text field to be converted to a formatted date field.
Open the Convert Time Field geoprocessing tool: ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Fields > Convert Time Field.
Populate the Input fields:

a) From the 'Input Table' drop-down menu, select the layer or table that contains the field to be converted.

b) From the 'Input Time Field' drop-down select the name of the text field to be converted.

The 'Input Time Format' field should be automatically populated. In this example its current time format (ex: yyyyMMdd) -show me-

The Convert Time Field tool supports over 30 different pre-designated time and date formats.

Populate the Output fields:

a) Create a name for the new date field under 'Output Time Field'.

b) From the 'Output Time Type' drop-down select DATE.

The Output Time Format and Locale fields are not selectable for the time type DATE. Select type 'TEXT', 'LONG', or any other type if a different time format for the output is desired.

Click OK. The process completes and the dialog box closes. The date field is formatted to MM/dd/yyyy by default. -show me-