import an excel file with PHP Excel Reader

Question

I'm trying to use this class to import a large amount of data. Most of the data is being read correctly, however I have two date columns which are giving me problems.

The dates are in the format DD/MM/YYYY and the values returned are one day ahead of those in the spreadsheet. For example, 04/03/2011 00:00 becomes 04/03/2011 02:00

I have tried accessing the data like this:

$data->sheets[$sheet]['cells'][$row][$col];

I have also tried using the raw data:

$data->sheets[$sheet]['cellsInfo'][$row][$col]['raw']

Which returns the date as a unix timestamp but still it is one day ahead of what it should be.

Is there any way I can force the class to return the value of the column as a simple string?

And where does this class come from? Provide a link? There may be many different products by this name. — Lightness Races in Orbit
– Lightness Races in Orbit, Commented Sep 19, 2011 at 9:30
I am experiencing the same problem. Linke to PHPExcel reader: phpexcel.codeplex.com I suspect something with the way Excel is recording the date. The spreadsheet is generated in USA and IT operations are in Australia (where I am), not sure if that is relevant — elzaer
– elzaer, Commented Feb 12, 2015 at 22:33

Shai Mishali · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-19 09:37:51Z

1

The solution is simple - why don't you just deduct a day from the timestamp, or from the date you fetch?

$wrongDateTimestamp = "1304398800"; 

$rightDateTimestamp = strtotime("-1 day", $wrongDateTimeStamp); // Or alternatively - $wrongDateTimeStam - 86400
$rightDate = date("d/m/Y", $rightDateTimestamp);

Hope this helps.
Shai.

answered Sep 19, 2011 at 9:37

Shai Mishali

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1 Comment

elzaer Over a year ago

While this "works", I think understanding why all dates are recording as a day ahead (or a day less as it were in Excel) would be better as if it is not consistantly out by a day you are changing the outcome of the process

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