Oh, I got it with these code: tmp <- read.table("file.txt") mydata <- zoo(z$V3, as.chron(paste(z$V1,z$V2))) but that way I cannot specify the format of the date cheers -- View this message in context: http://r.789695.n4.nabble.com/when-to-use-textConnection-tp2327132p2327656.html Sent from the R help mailing list archive at Nabble.com.