The Problem:
You are encountering challenges converting timestamps in the /Date(1714867200000)/ format from a Microsoft JSON source into a standard date format like MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS within Google Sheets. The core issue is the need to efficiently handle the specific format of the Microsoft JSON timestamp and translate it into a Google Sheets-compatible date.
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
The /Date(1714867200000)/ format represents the number of milliseconds since the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC). Google Sheets doesn’t directly understand this format; it requires a conversion to a numerical representation of seconds or days since the epoch, which then can be translated into a date. Direct string manipulation (using functions like MID, LEFT, RIGHT) is inefficient and prone to errors, especially if the timestamp format slightly changes in the future.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Automate the Conversion with a Workflow Tool:
Instead of relying on complex and potentially fragile Google Sheets formulas, the most robust and maintainable solution involves automating the conversion process using a workflow automation tool. This approach is superior to attempting in-cell formula conversions because it handles data transformations outside of the spreadsheet, resulting in cleaner and more reliable data in your sheets. Tools such as the one mentioned in the original post (https://latenode.com), provide the necessary capabilities for this task.
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Connect to your Data Source: Connect your automation tool to your data source, which contains the /Date(...) timestamps.
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Extract the Timestamps: Extract the numerical timestamp values from the /Date( ... )/ strings. This will likely involve removing the leading “/Date(” and trailing “)/” using string manipulation functions within your chosen automation tool (e.g., using a substring method).
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Convert Milliseconds to Seconds: Divide the extracted timestamp (in milliseconds) by 1000 to obtain the number of seconds since the Unix epoch.
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Convert to Google Sheets Date: Use the automation tool to convert the number of seconds (or milliseconds) into a Google Sheets-compatible date format. The exact method will depend on the tool’s capabilities; some tools might offer direct date conversion functions while others may require using a date/time library.
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Write to Google Sheets: Finally, output the converted dates back into your Google Sheet in the desired MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS format. Ensure that the destination column in Google Sheets is correctly formatted as a date.
Step 2: (Alternative) Google Sheets Formula (Less Robust):
While automation is recommended, if you must use a Google Sheets formula, the following formula provides a more robust approach than relying on MID or similar functions:
=TEXT((MID(A1,7,LEN(A1)-8)/1000+DATE(1970,1,1))/86400+25569,"MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS")
Replace A1 with the cell containing the timestamp. This formula extracts the numeric portion, converts milliseconds to days since the epoch, adds it to the epoch date and then formats it using TEXT. This is less flexible than automation and may break if the /Date() formatting changes.
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
- Data Consistency: Ensure all your timestamps are consistently formatted as
/Date( ... )/. Inconsistent formatting will cause errors.
- Error Handling: The automated approach allows for more robust error handling (e.g., handling timestamps that are not in the expected format), making it far more reliable than direct spreadsheet formulas.
- Time Zones: The Unix epoch is in UTC. If your desired date format is in a different time zone, you will need to adjust for the difference. This is handled more easily with a dedicated date/time library outside of Google Sheets.
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!