[Solved] Convert text string from CSV to date

[S.Franklin]

I have a string in a .csv file that is like '20241009' and, when I try to convert it I get some negative info like "10/09/-8220"
What's my problem? (Kind replies only, please)

[MrProgrammer]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I have a string in a .csv file that is like '20241009'

Read [Tutorial] Text to Columns. Set the Column Type for those dates to Date (YMD). You probably want to select Detect Special Numbers in the dialog. To ensure a successful import the important task is to review all the options in the Text Import dialog and guide Calc to interpret your CSV file columns correctly. Accepting all the defaults in the dialog is a common source of trouble. Once you have correctly imported the dates in the CSV file you can change their display formats in your sheet to whatever you want using Format → Cells → Numbers → Date or, better, using a style.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ☐ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[Tutorial] Ten concepts that every Calc user should know