Informed ( string , ) function to convert character date and time columns in a JMP data table to numeric values.
This function parses the string given as the argument string in the format specified by the argument formatName.
Below we will use examples to explain two types of formats: formats that can be used as arguments to date and time functions, and formats that cannot (using format patterns).
Example 1) Formats that can be used as arguments for date and time functions
1-1. Consider a case where time is entered as text in the "Date and Time_Text" column in the format "y/m/dh:m:s".
1-2. In this case, it is very simple. Create a new column "Datetime_Number" in the data table and set the following formula from "Columns" > "Formula".
Informat( :日時_文字, "y/m/d h:m:s" )
1-3. This will cause the column "Date and Time_Number" to display the number of seconds since midnight on January 1 , 1904.
1-4. We want to display the data in the original format "y/m/dh:m:s", so select the "Date and Time_Number" column and change the display format to "y/m/dh:m:s" from [Column Information].
1-5. When you close the [Column Information] window, a column called "Date and Time_Number" will be created, with numbers displayed in the same format as the column called "Date and Time_Character."
Example 2) When using a format pattern
2-1. The "Date and Time_Character" column shown below displays values in the format "yyyy_mm_dd hh:mm:ss", but this cannot be used as the formatName argument.
2-2. In this case, enter "Format Pattern" in the formatName argument and set the format pattern (*1) in the third argument. Create a new column "Date and Time_Number" in the data table and set the following formula in Columns > Formula.
*1 Enter the format pattern according to the display of the column "Date and Time_Character". Please enter the required pattern by referring to Custom Date and Time Display Format Using Format Pattern .
<HH24>
:
<MM>
:
<SS>
" )
</SS>
</MM>
</HH24>
2-3. This will display the number of seconds since midnight on January 1 , 1904 in the column "Date and Time_Number".
2-4. If you want the display format of the "Date and Time_Number" column to be the same as the "Date and Time_Character" column, select "Format Pattern" from "Display Format" in the "Column Information" window for the "Date and Time_Number" column.
2-5. Click [Set Format Pattern] and a window will appear. Enter " in the "Format Pattern" field. _ _
:
:
" and click [OK] (※2). *2 You can use built-in formats or set your own display format using "field descriptors".
2-6. When you close the [Column Information] window, a column called "Date and Time_Number" will be created, with numbers displayed in the same format as the column called "Date and Time_Character." 
Informat( :日時_文字, "Format Pattern", "
<YYYY>
_
<MM>
_
</MM>
</YYYY>
