Sorting cell array by date

Hi everybody,

i have cell array, which includes a specific column with dates (dd.mm.yyyy_HH:mm:ss). I want to sort the whole array by this dates. Can anybody help me out?

Matlab R2016a

[the cyclist]

It would make it easier for us if you uploaded a small sample of your data in a MAT file.

[HaDu]

I hope that helps. I want the 2nd column of the cell array named GivenData sorted by dates

edit: the whole array should be sorted by the dates in the 2nd column

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

Your data are already sorted:

D = load('sort-by-2nd-column.mat');
Data = D.GivenData;
[dn,idx] = sort(datenum(Data(2:end,2), 'dd.mm.yyyy_hh:MM:ss'), 1, 'ascend');

There is nothing to do.

[EDITED, copied from comment]

% First Row Are Column Labels
Data = D.GivenData(2:end,:);
% First Output Of ‘sort’ Not Necessary, So Not Returned
[~,idx] = sort(datenum(Data(:,2), 'dd.mm.yyyy_hh:MM:ss'), 1, 'ascend');
Data_Sorted = Data(idx,:);

[HaDu]

oh damn it... yes in this case it is right, but usually it is sorted just for the first column.

with your suggestion I just get a vector with, my guess is, the count of days since some reference point. The problem with that is: some dates are on the same day but have different hours. In the vector they have the same value. It could work if would count the seconds. In that case: how can I change it back to datetimes?

Thanks for your help!

[Star Strider]

My pleasure!

Use the ‘idx’ output to sort the rows.

The code becomes:

Data = D.GivenData(2:end,:);                                                % First Row Are Column Labels
[~,idx] = sort(datenum(Data(:,2), 'dd.mm.yyyy_hh:MM:ss'), 1, 'ascend');     % First Output Of ‘sort’ Not Necessary, So Not Returned
Data_Sorted = Data(idx,:);

[Jan]

+1: This is more efficient than converting the cell to a table at first.

[Star Strider]

@Jan — Thank you!

[Peter Perkins]

Jan, perhaps I am misunderstanding your statement.

I'm not so sure there's anything efficient about storing those data in a cell array. Every one of those integers in "Auftrag"is stored as a separate MATLAB array, and therefore take up way more memory than they need to. Consider this:

>> x = GivenData(2:end,3);
>> y = [x{:}]';
>> whos x y
  Name       Size            Bytes  Class     Attributes

    x         18x1              2160  cell                
    y         18x1               144  double

That's not going to scale well. And even if memory is not an issue, there's no way to do any kind of math, or even a simple sort, on them. These data are what tables are made for. I'm guessing the cell array came into MATLAB via xlsread. Cut out the middleman and use readtable.

Also, it looks like most or all of the non-numeric data in that cell array could be converted to either datetimes or to categoricals once in the table.

[Jan]

@Peter Perkins: The original question starts with "i have cell array" and the sorting of the cell array as shown by Star Strider is a direct solution.

Working with tables directly by using readtable is a good idea also, when you have a modern Matlab version and rest of the code does not require the data to be a cell.

Answer 2

[John BG]

Hi again HaDu

this is John BG <mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]>

Solved it:

1.

data format conflict: to have sortrows actually ordering dates, the data containing the time data, has to be class datetime. Your cell does not contain time data in such MATLAB class format. Translating:

A = load('sort-by-2nd-column.mat');
B=A.GivenData

    L=B([2:end],1)
    for k=1:1:length(L)
      L{k}(1,[3 6])='-';L{k}(1,11)=' ';
    end
    B([2:end],1)=L

    L=B([2:end],2)
    for k=1:1:length(L)
      L{k}(1,[3 6])='-';L{k}(1,11)=' ';
    end
    B([2:end],2)=L

ZeitString1=B([2:end],1)
ZeitString2=B([2:end],2)
t1=datetime(ZeitString1,'InputFormat','dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm:ss')
t2=datetime(ZeitString2,'InputFormat','dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm:ss')

2.

translating to table requires the name of the rows to meet MATLAB variables rules:

varNames2=B(1,:)
varNames2{8}='Teil_Bez'
varNames2{10}='Rezeptur_Bez'

3.

building the table this way

T3=table(t1,t2,B([2:end],3),B([2:end],4),B([2:end],5),B([2:end],6),B([2:end],7),B([2:end],8),B([2:end],9),B([2:end],10),'VariableNames',varNames2)

now it works:

sortrows(T3,'Auftragsbeginn','ascend')
ans =
  18×10 table
       Auftragsbeginn           Auftragsende        Auftrag    Kavitaet      Werkzeug                                       WerkzeugMINUSBez                                          Teil                               Teil_Bez                           Rezeptur                                                    Rezeptur_Bez                                                 
    ____________________    ____________________    _______    ________    ____________    ___________________________________________________________________________________    ____________    ______________________________________________________    ________    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    06-Dec-2016 00:25:56    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    [65107]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    [65012]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/36_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    [65717]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.'                        ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    16-Mar-2017 19:04:09    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    [66520]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1_nur_aus_PP_anthrazit_Compound_mit_30%_Glasfaser'                                                 
    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    [65595]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._Monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA6_GF_30_Akromid_B3'                                                                           
    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    02-May-2017 11:33:19    [66816]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    02-May-2017 11:33:19    09-May-2017 06:48:54    [66729]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    09-May-2017 06:48:54    22-May-2017 04:28:52    [67090]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
>> sortrows(T3,'Auftragsbeginn','descend')
ans =
  18×10 table
       Auftragsbeginn           Auftragsende        Auftrag    Kavitaet      Werkzeug                                       WerkzeugMINUSBez                                          Teil                               Teil_Bez                           Rezeptur                                                    Rezeptur_Bez                                                 
    ____________________    ____________________    _______    ________    ____________    ___________________________________________________________________________________    ____________    ______________________________________________________    ________    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    09-May-2017 06:48:54    22-May-2017 04:28:52    [67090]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    02-May-2017 11:33:19    09-May-2017 06:48:54    [66729]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    02-May-2017 11:33:19    [66816]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    [65595]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._Monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA6_GF_30_Akromid_B3'                                                                           
    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    [66520]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1_nur_aus_PP_anthrazit_Compound_mit_30%_Glasfaser'                                                 
    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    16-Mar-2017 19:04:09    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.'                        ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    [65717]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    [65012]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/36_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    06-Dec-2016 00:25:56    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    [65107]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
>> sortrows(T3,'Auftragsende','ascend')
ans =
  18×10 table
       Auftragsbeginn           Auftragsende        Auftrag    Kavitaet      Werkzeug                                       WerkzeugMINUSBez                                          Teil                               Teil_Bez                           Rezeptur                                                    Rezeptur_Bez                                                 
    ____________________    ____________________    _______    ________    ____________    ___________________________________________________________________________________    ____________    ______________________________________________________    ________    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    06-Dec-2016 00:25:56    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    [65107]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    [65012]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/36_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    [65717]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.'                        ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    16-Mar-2017 19:04:09    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    [66520]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1_nur_aus_PP_anthrazit_Compound_mit_30%_Glasfaser'                                                 
    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    [65595]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._Monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA6_GF_30_Akromid_B3'                                                                           
    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    02-May-2017 11:33:19    [66816]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    02-May-2017 11:33:19    09-May-2017 06:48:54    [66729]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    09-May-2017 06:48:54    22-May-2017 04:28:52    [67090]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
>> sortrows(T3,'Auftragsende','descend')
ans =
  18×10 table
       Auftragsbeginn           Auftragsende        Auftrag    Kavitaet      Werkzeug                                       WerkzeugMINUSBez                                          Teil                               Teil_Bez                           Rezeptur                                                    Rezeptur_Bez                                                 
    ____________________    ____________________    _______    ________    ____________    ___________________________________________________________________________________    ____________    ______________________________________________________    ________    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    09-May-2017 06:48:54    22-May-2017 04:28:52    [67090]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    02-May-2017 11:33:19    09-May-2017 06:48:54    [66729]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    02-May-2017 11:33:19    [66816]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    20-Apr-2017 12:58:12    [65595]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA_6_GV_anthr._._Mk._Monosuis'     ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA6_GF_30_Akromid_B3'                                                                           
    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    03-Apr-2017 06:55:23    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    21-Mar-2017 17:58:55    [66520]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1_nur_aus_PP_anthrazit_Compound_mit_30%_Glasfaser'                                                 
    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    21-Mar-2017 08:03:13    [66217]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    17-Mar-2017 00:59:33    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    16-Mar-2017 19:04:09    [65900]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/22_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    09-Mar-2017 22:50:43    [66337]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._Fk._PA-Traeger'                                              
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    20-Feb-2017 15:29:29    [66216]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_MK_200MINUSR'                                                  [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_MK_200-R_PA_6_GV_anthr.'                   ''          'Rezeptur_2._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                              
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.'                        ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    20-Feb-2017 08:37:19    [65976]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_6._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._53_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._42_%_Regranulat_Isonyl._5_%'
    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    23-Jan-2017 09:34:20    [65717]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'
    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    18-Jan-2017 07:12:46    [65012]    [1]         [4.0013e+09]    'WkzgSpulenkoerper_EPA_250_B'                                                          [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_EPA_250/36_E_PA_6_natur_GV30'              ''          'Rezeptur_1._nur_aus_PA_6_natur_mit_30%_Glasfasern'                                                          
    06-Dec-2016 00:25:56    05-Jan-2017 07:51:53    [65107]    [1]         [4.0012e+09]    'WkzgMINUSSpulenkoerper_K_250_R_Stamm_Hierfuer_wird_der_Deckel_K_200_R_A_verwendet'    [1.0000e+09]    'Spulenkoerper_K_250_R_PA6_anthr.._GV30_MK._PerlonNex'    ''          'Rezeptur_1._PA_6_anthrazit_mit_30%_Glasfasern._47.5_%_Industriequalitaet_Weromid._47.5_%_Regranulat_Isonyl.'

.

I have appended this correction to the previous answer.

if you find this answer useful would you please be so kind to consider marking this answer as Accepted Answer?

To any other reader, if you find this answer useful please consider clicking on the thumbs-up vote link

thanks in advance

John BG

<mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]>

.

comment:

there's the command array2timetable, that can also be used, but I only had it building a time table with a single time column

varNames=B(1,[3:end])
varNames{6}='Teil_Bez'
varNames{8}='Rezeptur_Bez'

B3=B([2:end],[3:end])
T2=array2timetable(B3,'RowTimes',t1,'VariableNames',varNames)

.

[Jan]

datetime can convert the strings directly without the need to manipulate the strings with some loops before:

B  = A.GivenData(2:end, :);
t1 = datetime(B(:,2), 'Format', 'dd.MM.yyyy_HH:mm:ss');

If there is a good reason to modify the strings, this is easier and faster:

B = A.GivenData(2:end, 1:2);
L = strrep(strrep(B, '.', '-'), '_', ' ');