{
  "id": "2000-april-text-to-date",
  "slug": "2000-april-text-to-date",
  "url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/2000-april-text-to-date.html",
  "year": 2000,
  "month": "April",
  "monthNum": 4,
  "headline": "Text to date",
  "kicker": "BEGINNER TIPS",
  "author_name": "",
  "author_title": "",
  "affiliation": "",
  "summary": "Instructions for converting character date fields (like '01021999') to formatted date fields (like '01/02/1999') using either Access or FoxPro database software.",
  "keywords": [
    "database",
    "formatting",
    "conversion"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Technology",
    "Data & Databases",
    "Investigative Methods"
  ],
  "technologies": [
    "Access",
    "FoxPro",
    "SQL"
  ],
  "full_text": "Here are versions in Access and FoxPro for converting character fields, such as \"01021999\" to a true date field, \"01/02/ 1999.\"\n\nNo matter what program you're using, start by inserting a new field in your table. In this example, the original date field is called DOB and the newly created field is called BIRTHDT. The date appears as mmddyyyy.\n\nIn Access:\n\nIn the grid view, put the name of the new field, BIRTHDT, in the field grid. In the criteria line: Left([DOB],2) & \"/\" & Mid([DOB],3,2 & \"/\" & Mid([DOB],5,4)\n\nThe SQL version looks like this: UPDATE [TABLENAME] SET BIRTHDT= Left([DOB],2) & \"/\" & Mid([DOB],3,2)\n\n& \"/\" & Mid([DOB],5,4)\n\nThis tells the computer, start at the left side of the DOB field and take two digits, then insert a forward slash (/), then go to the middle of the DOB field and start at the third position and take two digits, then insert another forward slash and finally go to the middle of the DOB field and start at the fifth position, taking four digits.\n\nIf your date has only two digits for the year, replace the final 4 with a 2.\n\nMake sure to use the ampersand (&) and not the plus sign.\n\nIn FoxPro:\n\nHere's the SQL (notice slightly different syntax): Replace all BIRTHDT with; CTOD(substr(D0B,1,2) + \"/\" + substr(DOB,3,2) + \"/\" substr(D0B,5,4))",
  "provenance": {
    "extracted_by": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6",
    "extracted_at": "2026-07-05",
    "verified": true
  },
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  "html_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/2000-april-text-to-date.html",
  "json_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/2000-april-text-to-date.json"
}