Date function

To use this function, choose Calc > Calculator.

Extracts the date portion of a date/time value. For example, it returns "1/6/14" from the value "1/6/14 10:23." This calculator function is useful in macros and formulas.

Syntax

DATE(number_or_text)

In number_or_text, enter a text string in a default date/time format such as "3/6/09 10:23", a column containing such values, or a numeric representation of a date/time value. If you store the result in a column, the output is in date/time format. If you store the result in a constant, the output is the numeric representation of the date/time value.

Example

A manager wants to determine daily call volume in a call center. Column C2 contains the date and time each call is received, but the manager is interested only in the date portion. In the calculator, she enters the expression DATE(C2) and stores the results in C3.

C2-D	C3-D
Incoming Calls	Date
1/12/2013 8:15 AM	1/12/2013
1/24/2013 8:15 AM	1/24/2013
1/13/2013 8:15 AM	1/13/2013
1/10/2013 8:15 AM	1/10/2013

Next, the manager wants to flag calls received on January 24, 2013. The manager enters the expression DATE(C2)=DATE("1/24/13") and stores the results in C4. Minitab returns 1 for values equal to the value specified and 0 if the values are not equal.

C2-D	C3-D	C4
Incoming Calls	Date	Date value
1/12/2013 8:15 AM	1/12/2013	0
1/24/2013 8:15 AM	1/24/2013	1
1/13/2013 8:15 AM	1/13/2013	0
1/10/2013 8:15 AM	1/10/2013	0