convert a text field to a legitimate date value

[Takeadoe]

Folks,

I've got a text field that contains values such as 09/20/62,
03/13/68... Is there a way that I can create a "real" date variable
from this mess - something that other software such as SAS, EXCEL and
of course ACCESS would recognize as a legititmate date value?

[inkman04]

Hello.

First, are all of the records filled in for that field?
In the same format?

If so, then just change the text property of the
field in table design view to "Date/Time" and
then save the table.

Since there isn't much more info given in your
question, the above solution should work.

Have a nice day.

Regards

Takeadoe wrote:

Folks,

I've got a text field that contains values such as 09/20/62,
03/13/68... Is there a way that I can create a "real" date variable
from this mess - something that other software such as SAS, EXCEL and
of course ACCESS would recognize as a legititmate date value?

[Takeadoe]

No. For many of the records, this value will be missing. Does that
change things?

[Mark]

I'm no expert in this field but have had a similar issue. All records that
are in the tables should be converted to a date format. From then on, any
records that are entered should be automatically saved as a date value.

Mark
"Takeadoe" <mt********@msn.com> wrote in message
news:11*********************@j33g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...

No. For many of the records, this value will be missing. Does that
change things?

[Lyle Fairfield]

If all the text dates are of the form mm/dd/yy Or Null Or ZLS Then
Create a new date field;
Allow nulls;
Run this query:
UPDATE Table1 SET NewDateField = OldTextField.

If you are satisfied with the results and are not referrng to
OldTextField.Value in code as as string, you may wish to delete
OldTextField and rename NewDateField to OldTextField.

If you're not satisfied delete NewDateField and find another solution.