How to Convert Timestamps into Numerical Values in Q

Introduction

This article shows you how to extract time information from timestamp variables. 

Requirements

A dataset with one or more timestamp variables. The standard format for a timestamp is “Hours:Minutes:Seconds”. 

Method

Converting timestamps into minutes in Q with JavaScript

1. From the toolbar, select Create > Variables and Questions > Variable(s) > JavaScript Formula > Numeric.
2. Copy and paste the following code into the Expression box.
   

   var newStamp = Timestamp.split(":");
   // Text would be split into “HH,MM,SS”
   var hours = newStamp[0];
   var minutes = newStamp[1];
   var seconds = newStamp[2];
   // Convert timestamp into minutes
   var convertedmins = (hours * 60 ) + minutes + (seconds / 60 )
   // Convert timestamp into hours
   var convertedhrs = hours + (minutes / 60 )+ (seconds / 3600 )

   

3. You can name this new variable in the Name field and give the variable a long-form label in the Label field. 
4. Click OK.

Converting timestamps into minutes in Q with R

1. From the toolbar, select Create > Variables and Questions > Variable(s) > R Variable.
2. You can name this new variable in the Variable Base Name field and give the variable a long-form label in the Question Name field.
3. Enter the code into the R CODE box

   x <- var ## where var is your timestamp text variable
   y <- strsplit(x, “:”)
   z <- do.call(rbind, y)
   hours <- as.numeric(z[,1]);
   minutes <- as.numeric(z[,2]);
   seconds <- as.numeric(z[,3]);
   # Convert timestamp into minutes
   convertedmins <- (hours * 60) + minutes + (seconds / 60)
   # Convert timestamp into hours
   convertedhrs <- hours + (minutes / 60) + (seconds / 3600)
   
   

   
   
   
4. Click the Play button to generate a preview of the output in the window on the left. If you are happy with the results, click the Add R Variable button for Q to add variable to your project.

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How to Use JavaScript in Q

How to Create a Custom R Variable