Convert channel display format from time to numeric in a script

Question

I am trying to convert the Display format of a channel that contains time values (mm/dd/yyyy hh:nn:ss.ffff) from Time to Numeric. I know I can do this in the properties section of the data portal but I would like to do it in a script. I want to be able to automatically convert it without having to manually do it each time I import new data. What syntax is needed for this? 
I've already tried the ChnPropSet (and ChnPropValSet) commands but it doesn't change the Display format after I run the script. Thanks for all your help. 
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Answer 1

Hi Steinmeister,
i've found a way. You can use the "ChnCalculate"-Function but you must store it to a new channel.
Dim oGrp, oChn
Dim sChn
'iterate over all channels
For Each oGrp In Data.Root.ChannelGroups
For Each oChn In oGrp.Channels
sChn = transformTimeChnToNum(oChn)
If (sChn <> "") Then
Call ChnCopy(oGrp.Name & "/" & sChn, oGrp.Name & "/" & oChn.Name)
Call ChnDel(oGrp.Name & "/" & sChn)
End If
Next
Next
'function for transforming the channel
Function transformTimeChnToNum(oChannel)
transformTimeChnToNum = ""
If (oChannel.DataType <> DataTypeChnDate) Then
Exit Function
End If
transformTimeChnToNum = oChannel.Name & "_num"
Call ChnCalculate("Ch(""" & oChannel.ChannelGroup.Name & "/" & transformTimeChnToNum & """)=Val(Ch(""" & oChannel.ChannelGroup.Name & "/" & oChannel.Name & """))")
End Function