Understanding and working with time in different formats is crucial when dealing with data in Google Sheets. Military time, also known as 24-hour time, uses a consistent format from 00:00 to 23:59, eliminating the confusion of AM and PM. If you’re working with time data in military format and need to convert it to a more familiar 12-hour format, or vice versa, Google Sheets provides handy tools to make this process seamless.
Overview
This guide will walk you through the various methods to change military time in Google Sheets. We’ll explore using built-in functions, formatting options, and even custom formulas to achieve your desired time representation. Whether you’re analyzing schedules, tracking events, or simply want to present your data in a user-friendly way, mastering these techniques will significantly enhance your spreadsheet capabilities.
How to Change Military Time in Google Sheets
Military time, also known as 24-hour time, uses a format of hours ranging from 00 to 23, eliminating the need for AM and PM designations. While this format is widely used in certain fields, it can be less intuitive for everyday users. Fortunately, Google Sheets offers several ways to convert military time to standard 12-hour time.
Understanding Military Time
Military time displays hours on a 24-hour cycle. For example, 13:00 represents 1:00 PM, and 22:30 represents 10:30 PM. This format is often used in aviation, military operations, and technical documentation.
Methods for Converting Military Time to Standard Time
There are several methods you can use to convert military time in Google Sheets: (See Also: How To Add Exponent In Google Sheets)
1. Using the TIMEVALUE and TEXT Functions
This method involves two functions: TIMEVALUE and TEXT. TIMEVALUE converts a time string into a time value, while TEXT converts a time value back into a string in a specified format.
- Use the `=TIMEVALUE(A1)` formula to convert the military time in cell A1 into a time value.
- Apply the `=TEXT(B1,”hh:mm AM/PM”)` formula to convert the time value in cell B1 (the result from the previous step) into standard 12-hour time format.
2. Using the HOUR and MINUTE Functions
This method utilizes the HOUR and MINUTE functions to extract the hour and minute components from the military time and then constructs the standard time format.
- Use the `=HOUR(A1)` formula to extract the hour from cell A1 (military time).
- Use the `=MINUTE(A1)` formula to extract the minute from cell A1.
- Combine the extracted hour and minute values with the appropriate AM/PM designation using a formula like `=IF(HOUR(A1)<12,"AM","PM")`.
3. Using Custom Number Formatting
Google Sheets allows you to customize the number format of cells. You can apply a custom format to display military time as standard time.
- Select the cells containing military time.
- Go to Format > Number > More formats.
- Choose “Custom number format” and enter the following format code: “hh:mm AM/PM”.
Recap
Converting military time to standard time in Google Sheets is straightforward. You can utilize functions like TIMEVALUE, TEXT, HOUR, and MINUTE, or apply custom number formatting to achieve the desired result. Choose the method that best suits your needs and workflow. (See Also: How To Add More Than 1 Column In Google Sheets)
Frequently Asked Questions: Changing Military Time in Google Sheets
What is military time?
Military time, also known as 24-hour time, uses a single 24-hour clock format. Hours are represented from 00 to 23, eliminating the need for AM and PM designations.
How can I tell if a cell in Google Sheets contains military time?
Google Sheets automatically recognizes military time when it’s entered in the correct format (e.g., 14:30 for 2:30 PM). If the time appears without AM/PM indicators and falls within the 00:00 to 23:59 range, it’s likely in military time.
How do I convert military time to standard time (12-hour format) in Google Sheets?
You can use the `TIMEVALUE` and `TEXT` functions. For example, if your military time is in cell A1, the formula `=TEXT(TIMEVALUE(A1),”hh:mm AM/PM”)` will convert it to standard time.
How do I convert standard time to military time in Google Sheets?
Use the `TIMEVALUE` and `TEXT` functions similarly. For example, if your standard time is in cell A1, the formula `=TEXT(TIMEVALUE(A1),”hh24:mm”)` will convert it to military time.
Are there any other ways to change time formats in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can also format cells directly. Select the cells containing the time, click on the “Format” menu, choose “Number,” and then select the desired time format from the options.