Best timestamp format for CSV/Excel?

Question

I\'m writing a CSV file. I need to write timestamps that are accurate at least to the second, and preferably to the millisecond. What\'s the best format for timestamps in

Answer 1

So, weirdly excel imports a csv date in different ways. And, displays them differently depending on the format used in the csv file. Unfortunately the ISO 8061 format comes in as a string. Which prevents you from possibly reformatting the date yourself.

All the ones the do come in as a date... contain the entire information... but they format differently... if you don't like it you can choose a new format for the column in excel and it will work. (Note: you can tell it came in as a valid date/time as it will right justify... if it comes in as a string it will left justify)

Here are formats I tested:

"yyyy-MM-dd" shows up as a date of course when opened in excel. (also "MM/dd/yyyy" works)

"yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss" default display format is "MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm" (date and time w/out seconds)

"yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.fff" default display format is "HH:mm:ss" (time only w/ seconds)