Time# - script and chart function

Time#() evaluates an expression as a time value, in the time format set in the data load script or the operating system, unless a format string is supplied.

Syntax:

time#(text[, format])

Return data type: dual

Arguments
Argument	Description
text	The text string to be evaluated.
format	String describing the format of the text string to be evaluated. If omitted, the time format and decimal separator set in the operating system is used. The Time# function supports many format options for different time structures, for example: hh:mm:ss—Formats a time value in a standard time format and display hours, minutes, and seconds with leading zeros. hh:mm TT—Uses a 12-hour format with AM/PM suffix. hh:mm—Shows only hours and minutes, omitting seconds. hh.mm.ss—Time format with different separators, such as a period (.) instead of a colon. hh TT—Includes only hour and AM/PM. hh "Hrs" mm "Mins"—Displays the time with custom text, such as Hrs. Descriptions for number and time formats

Example: Chart expressions
Example	Result
Time#('09:00:00')	Returns 09:00:00 when the TimeFormat setting is 'hh:mm:ss'.
Time#( '09:00:00','hh:mm:ss' )	Returns 09:00:00 when the format supplied is 'hh:mm:ss'.
Time#('03:25 PM', 'hh:mm TT')	Returns 03:25 PM when the format supplied is 'hh:mm TT'.

Example - Time# fundamentals

Overview

Open the Data load editor and add the load script below to a new section.

The load script contains:

A dataset which is loaded into a data table called Example.
The following field in a data table:
- InputTime
The TimeFormat variable, which uses the h:mm:ss TT format.
A preceding load that uses the Time# function to convert the text value of InputTime into a time/numeric field called ParsedTime which the system can use.

Load script

SET TimeFormat='h:mm:ss TT';
Example:
Load
InputTime,
Time#(InputTime, 'hh-mm-ss') as ParsedTime
Inline [
InputTime
12-30-45
05-15-00
22-10-55
08-20-35
19-45-15
];

Results

Load the data and open a sheet. Create a new table and add these fields as dimensions:

InputTime
ParsedTime

Create the following measure:

=Time(ParsedTime), to view the time using the format supplied in the load script as a default setting.

Results table
InputTime	ParsedTime	Time(ParsedTime)
05-15-00	05-15-00	5:15:00 AM
08-20-35	08-20-35	8:20:35 AM
12-30-45	12-30-45	12:30:45 PM
19-45-15	19-45-15	7:45:15 PM
22-10-55	22-10-55	10:10:55 PM

The values in the InputTime field are displayed as text and are left aligned. Once the values in InputTime are parsed through the Time# function, the resulting ParsedTime field is created. The values in the new field are right-aligned as they are now treated as a valid time value. The third column uses the Time function to evaluate the ParsedTime values and format them according to the TimeFormat in the load script.

Example - Time# scenario

Overview

Open the Data load editor and add the load script below to a new section.

The load script contains:

A dataset which is loaded into a data table called Example.
The following field in a data table:
- NoDelimiterTime
The TimeFormat variable, which uses the hh.mm.ss format.
A preceding load that uses the Time# function to convert the text value of NoDelimiterTime into a time/numeric field called ParsedNoDelimiterTime.

Load script

SET TimeFormat='hh.mm.ss';
Example:
Load
NoDelimiterTime,
Time#(NoDelimiterTime, 'hhmmss') as ParsedNoDelimiterTime
Inline [
NoDelimiterTime
143015
091045
235959
060530
184010
];

Results

Load the data and open a sheet. Create a new table and add this field as a dimension:

NoDelimiterTime

Create the following measure:

=Time(ParsedNoDelimiterTime,'hh:mm:ss'), to view the time using the format supplied in the load script as a default setting.

Results table
NoDelimiterTime	Time(ParsedNoDelimiterTime,'hh:mm:ss')
060530	06:05:30
091045	09:10:45
143015	14:30:15
184010	18:40:10
235959	23:59:59

The results show how you can use the Time# function to parse and convert values from text to a time/numeric value.

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