Removing the time zone from datetime field in QGIS

Question

How can I get rid of the time zone in the date/time field?

So I have a GeoPackage with the following data:

and want to get just 2021-06-07 16:25:40

Are you sure? Because using 3.16 I can't find an option to add the timezone to the datetime. — Erik, Dec 06 '21 at 13:35
@Erik yes, I'm sure. Got this value from string using parsing function (https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/212274/converting-string-field-into-date-field-in-qgis): "QDateTime.fromString(fromval, 'dd.MM.yyyy h:mm:ss')". The timezone was unwanted. — kartographinya, Dec 06 '21 at 13:40

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 07 '21 at 07:58

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In my QGIS (3.22), when I use datetime format, I get timezone information included by default. You can convert it to a string to get rid of it - use this expression, where datetime is the name of the field containing the datetime-information:

left(to_string(datetime), 19)

However, you can't use the resulting string field as a datetime field any more. Including timezone makes sense - as 2021-12-06 14:48:41 is not the same everywhere on Earth.

edited Dec 07 '21 at 07:58

Taras

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answered Dec 06 '21 at 13:48

Babel

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thank you! so there is an issue with the version? – kartographinya Dec 06 '21 at 13:49
No, I think including timezone is intended, that's not an issue. This format is not primarily intended for visualization - if you want to visualize, best convert to a string. – Babel Dec 06 '21 at 14:06

Taras · Answer 2 · 2021-12-06T14:30:59.027

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After inspecting provided GeoPackage I could not find the problem in any of your datetime fields, specifically "Save_times1" and "Loc1".

Proceed with RMC > Properties > Attributes Forms > Fields (see documentation) where change the Field Format from ISO Date Time into Date Time.

Before:

After:

edited Dec 06 '21 at 14:30

answered Dec 06 '21 at 14:18

Taras

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it's already date time, I've checked. I will share my data in a second. – kartographinya Dec 06 '21 at 14:20
@Taras: I downloaded the Geopacke provided by kartographinya and indeed, I get the same format, including timezone: https://i.stack.imgur.com/D4lOM.png This, however, is a visualization issue and I guess it has to do with system settings - QGIS just takes the options used by the operation system. As you see in my screenshot, if you try to edit a field, the timezone disappers. – Babel Dec 06 '21 at 14:56
So the question is why the timezone bothers you? In case you use several timezones, it matters, of course. If that is the case, I think you should reformulate the question or ask a new one. If you just want to use the time as a text somewhere, without the disturbing timeone text, converting the field to a string as proposed in my answer should work. – Babel Dec 06 '21 at 14:57
@Taras which version of QGIS do you use? – kartographinya Dec 07 '21 at 07:20
QGIS 3.18. and you? – Taras Dec 07 '21 at 07:20
@Taras 3.22. Ok, it seems that it is just a visualization of a system. – kartographinya Dec 07 '21 at 07:26
Yeap. I do think so – Taras Dec 07 '21 at 07:30

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 06 '21 at 13:54

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You need to go to the field calculator. Then tick update existing field. Select your desired field and type:

regexp_replace( "date" , '(MSK)', '')

Then hit OK. Good Luck.

answered Dec 06 '21 at 13:54

Ash

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thank you, but doesn't work. – kartographinya Dec 06 '21 at 14:02
You should replace "date" WITH YOUR FIELD NAME e.g. "date_field"! Then try again. – Ash Dec 06 '21 at 14:20
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Yes, I've done that – kartographinya Dec 06 '21 at 14:22
try `regexp_replace( "date" , '\s(MSK)', ''). It must have worked. I've got confused right now. – Ash Dec 06 '21 at 14:52

Removing the time zone from datetime field in QGIS

3 Answers3