How do I convert a string into a plotable time format?

I have an array called time that is storing time stamps as strings read in from an excel file:

time = 
    '4/3/2017 12:30:17 PM'
    '4/3/2017 12:30:17 PM'
    '4/3/2017 12:30:18 PM'
...

How do I convert these values into numerical times that I can then use to plot data?

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

Try this:

time = ['4/3/2017 12:30:17 PM'
        '4/3/2017 12:30:17 PM'
        '4/3/2017 12:30:18 PM'];

dnv = datenum(time);                                % Date Number Vector
check = datevec(dnv);                               % Check Conversion (Delete)

Answer 2

[Steven Lord]

Don't convert them into numbers. Convert them into datetime arrays then plot those datetime arrays.