datenum on array of values - specifying the format

I can't seem to specify the format for datenum when I passi an array of values.

Here is a snippet of my code:

formatIn = 'dd/mm/yyyy HH:MM';

X = readtable( fileRain );

datimR = datenum(X.DateTime_LT_,formatIn);

This returns an error:

Error using datetime/datenum

Too many input arguments.

Error in plot_rsam_rain (line 12)

datimR = datenum(X.DateTime_LT_,formatIn);

It works fine when I don't specify the format in the call to datetime, but the values are all wrong as it assumes 'mm/dd/yyyy'.

Any suggestions how I can get this to work.

[Lei Hou]

Hi Dormant,

May I know why you want to convert datetime to datenum? Now, it is more recommended to use the morden datatype datetime than datenum. Actually, datenum is put into discourage use.

Thanks,

Lei

Answer 1

[Cris LaPierre]

You do not need to enter a format if your data is already a datetime. The 'FormatIn' flag should only be used if your date is a string.

• DateNumber = datenum(DateString,formatIn)

DateNumber = datenum(t) converts the datetime or duration values in the input array t to serial date numbers.