Excel: Calculate times - with these formulas it works

Time spans of all kinds can be easily calculated with Excel. In this practical tip, you can read how to calculate the times.

Calculate with clock signs - input and format in Excel

In Excel, every time entered corresponds to an absolute value. A day has the value 1. 12 hours is therefore 0.5.
In order for Excel to recognize that your entry is a time, you must enter it in the format hours: minutes. For example, enter 9:15 and confirm your entries with [Enter].
In order for the time to be displayed as such, you have to assign the time format to the cell.
Under the "Number" menu area, you will find a list of suggested number formats in the combo box at the top. Click on more "More".
Now a window opens with all possible text and number formats. In the "Time" category you will find a suitable selection under Type.

If all entries are in the correct format, Excel no longer has a problem with the conversion.
Now carry out any desired arithmetic operation.
As with normal numbers, you can subtract or add times, for example.

In the next article, you will read how you can only allow certain values in Excel.