How to Convert Excel Time to Decimal Number Format
If you work with Excel spreadsheets that contain data on time, you may need to convert the time format to decimal numbers. For example, you may have a spreadsheet that records the start and end times of a project, and you need to calculate the total duration of the project in decimal format. Converting Excel time to decimal format is a simple process that can be done with a few clicks. In this article, we will show you how to convert Excel time to decimal number format.
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Understanding Time in Excel
In Excel, time is represented by a fraction of a day. One day is equal to 1 in Excel, and one hour is equal to 1/24. For example, 6 AM is represented by 0.25, which is 6 divided by 24. Similarly, 3 PM is represented by 0.625, which is 15 divided by 24.
Step 2: Converting Time to Decimal Format
To convert Excel time to decimal format, you can use the following formula: =value(time)-INT(value(time)).
Let’s take an example to understand this formula. Suppose you have a start time of 9:30 AM in cell A1. To convert this time to decimal format, use the formula =value(A1)-INT(value(A1)).
The value function converts the time to a decimal value, and the INT function returns the integer portion of the value. Subtracting the integer portion from the value gives the decimal portion of the time. In the example, the formula evaluates to 0.39583, which represents 9:30 AM in decimal format.
Step 3: Calculating Duration in Decimal Format
Once you have converted the start and end times of a project to decimal format, you can calculate the duration of the project in decimal format. To do this, subtract the start time from the end time and multiply the result by 24.
Let’s take an example to understand this formula. Suppose you have a start time of 9:30 AM in cell A1 and an end time of 5:45 PM in cell B1. To calculate the duration of the project in decimal format, use the formula =(B1-A1)*24.
The result of the formula is 8.25, which represents the total duration of the project in decimal format.
FAQ
Q1. What is the difference between time and duration in Excel?
A. Time in Excel refers to a specific point in time, while duration refers to the length of time between two points in time. For example, if you have a start time of 9:30 AM and an end time of 5:45 PM, the time is 9:30 AM and the duration is 8 hours and 15 minutes.
Q2. Can I convert Excel time to other formats?
A. Yes, Excel provides several options for formatting time and date values. You can choose from a variety of pre-defined formats, or you can create your own custom format. To apply a format to a cell, select the cell or range of cells, click on the Format Cells dialog box launcher, and choose the desired format from the Number tab.
Video Tutorial: How to Convert Excel Time to Decimal Number Format
Watch this video tutorial for a step-by-step guide on how to convert Excel time to decimal number format.
