2/11/2020 Unix Timestamp to Date Format – eCreators Customer Support

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Unix Timestamp to Date Format

1 year ago · Updated

Problem

Importing or exporting files will at times import/export a UNIX timestamp instead of the normal
date format. How do I convert a UNIX timestamp into a normal date?

Solution

The generic formula to convert a UNIX timestamp into a normal date is as follows:

=(A1/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) where A1 is the location of the UNIX timestamp number.

An example of this is illustrated below where the first UNIX timestamp is located in cell B5.

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Remember to format your column into Date & Time in your Excel spreadsheet depending on the
output you desire.

Unix Timestamp Formula Result

1538352000 =(B5/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 1-Oct-2018

1275415200 =(B6/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 1-Jun-2010 18:00

1275393600 =(B7/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 1-Jun-2010 12:00

946684800 =(B8/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 1-Jan-2000

13392000 =(B9/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 5-Jun-1970

0 =(B10/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1)1-Jan-1970

-132969600 =(B11/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1)15-Oct-1965

How does the formula work

The UNIX timestamp tracks time by using seconds and this count in seconds begins from January
1st 1970. The number of seconds in one year is 24 (hours) X 60 (minutes) X 60 (seconds) which
provides you with a total of 86400 which is then used in our formula. This means that between
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2/11/2020 Unix Timestamp to Date Format – eCreators Customer Support

two given dates, the total number of seconds is given. In our example, the number of seconds
between 1st Jan 1970 and 1st Oct 2018 is 1538352000.

The formula is able to be manipulated as displayed in the table below providing different results
where extra years, months or days can either be added or subtracted.

Changing the formula with the same UNIX timestamp will result in the following results.

Unix Timestamp Formula Result Effect

1538352000 =(B5/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 1-Oct-2018 Normal

1538352000 =(B6/86400)+DATE(1970,2,1) 1-Nov-2018 1 month added

1538352000 =(B7/86400)+DATE(1970,1,2) 2-Oct-2018 1 day added

1538352000 =(B8/86400)+DATE(1980,1,1)30-Sep-2028 10 yrs added

-1538352000 =(B9/86400)+DATE(1970,1,1) 3-Apr-1921 Back from 1970

Syntax of formula

=({Cell reference}/{seconds in a year})+DATE({Year},{Month Value},{Day Value})

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