dates_and_times01.c

<< tutorial3.c

dates_and_times02.c >>

Example of writing a dates and time in Excel using a number with date formatting. This demonstrates that dates and times in Excel are just formatted real numbers. An easier approach using a lxw_datetime struct is shown in the next example.

/*
 * Example of writing a dates and time in Excel using a number with date
 * formatting. This demonstrates that dates and times in Excel are just
 * formatted real numbers.
 *
 * An easier approach using a lxw_datetime struct is shown in example
 * dates_and_times02.c.
 *
 * Copyright 2014-2026, John McNamara, jmcnamara@cpan.org
 *
 */

#include "xlsxwriter.h"

int main() {

    /* A number to display as a date. */
    double number = 41333.5;

    /* Create a new workbook and add a worksheet. */
    lxw_workbook  *workbook  = workbook_new("date_and_times01.xlsx");
    lxw_worksheet *worksheet = workbook_add_worksheet(workbook, NULL);

    /* Add a format with date formatting. */
    lxw_format    *format    = workbook_add_format(workbook);
    format_set_num_format(format, "mmm d yyyy hh:mm AM/PM");

    /* Widen the first column to make the text clearer. */
    worksheet_set_column(worksheet, 0, 0, 20, NULL);

    /* Write the number without formatting. */
    worksheet_write_number(worksheet, 0, 0, number, NULL   );  // 41333.5

    /* Write the number with formatting. Note: the worksheet_write_datetime()
     * or worksheet_write_unixtime() functions are preferable for writing
     * dates and times. This is for demonstration purposes only.
     */
    worksheet_write_number(worksheet, 1, 0, number, format);   // Feb 28 2013 12:00 PM

    return workbook_close(workbook);
}