Understanding and converting time formats is crucial in various situations, especially when dealing with data from military sources or applications that use 24-hour time. Google Sheets, a powerful spreadsheet tool, offers a convenient way to transform military time (24-hour format) into regular time (12-hour format) using built-in functions.
How to Change Military Time to Regular Time in Google Sheets
This guide will walk you through the steps of converting military time to regular time in Google Sheets, empowering you to effectively analyze and present time-related data.
Why Convert Military Time?
Military time, expressed as hours and minutes without AM/PM indicators, can be confusing for those accustomed to the 12-hour format. Converting it to regular time enhances readability and makes it easier to understand time-based information.
How to Change Military Time to Regular Time in Google Sheets
Military time, also known as 24-hour time, can be confusing for those accustomed to the 12-hour clock. Luckily, Google Sheets provides a simple way to convert military time to regular time. This article will guide you through the process, explaining the different methods available and providing examples to illustrate each step.
Understanding Military Time
Military time uses a 24-hour format, where the day is represented by 24 sequential hours. 00:00 represents midnight, and 23:59 represents 11:59 PM. This eliminates the need for AM/PM designations, making it a clear and concise way to express time.
Using the TIMEVALUE Function
The TIMEVALUE function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that can convert text representing time into a time value. This function can be used to convert military time to regular time.
Steps:
1.
Select the cell where you want the converted time to appear. (See Also: How To Apply Conditional Formatting In Google Sheets)
2.
Type the following formula, replacing “A1” with the cell containing the military time:
=TIMEVALUE(A1)
3.
Press Enter.
The TIMEVALUE function will parse the military time in cell A1 and return the corresponding time value in the selected cell.
Using the TEXT Function
The TEXT function allows you to format a number as text, including time. You can use this function to convert a time value (obtained using TIMEVALUE) into a regular time format.
Steps:
1. (See Also: How To Get The Total In Google Sheets)
In the same cell as the TIMEVALUE formula, or a new cell, type the following formula:
=TEXT(TIMEVALUE(A1),”hh:mm AM/PM”)
2.
Press Enter.
This formula will first convert the military time to a time value using TIMEVALUE and then format it as “hh:mm AM/PM” using the TEXT function.
Recap
Converting military time to regular time in Google Sheets is straightforward. You can use the TIMEVALUE function to convert the text representation of military time into a time value, and then use the TEXT function to format it into the desired regular time format. These methods provide flexibility and accuracy when working with time data in your spreadsheets.
Frequently Asked Questions: Converting Military Time to Regular Time in Google Sheets
What is military time?
Military time, also known as 24-hour time, uses a single format to represent all hours of the day. It ranges from 0000 (midnight) to 2359 (11:59 PM).
How do I convert military time to regular time in Google Sheets?
You can use the `TIMEVALUE` and `TEXT` functions in Google Sheets to convert military time to regular time. Here’s the formula: `=TEXT(TIMEVALUE(A1),”hh:mm:ss AM/PM”)`. Replace “A1” with the cell containing the military time.
What if my military time data includes seconds?
The formula above will automatically handle seconds. If you only need hours and minutes, you can modify the formula to `=TEXT(TIMEVALUE(A1),”hh:mm AM/PM”)`.
Can I convert multiple cells of military time at once?
Yes! Simply drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom right corner of the cell) down to apply the formula to multiple cells containing military time.
What if my military time data is in a different format?
The formula assumes your military time is in the format “HHMM” (e.g., 1530 for 3:30 PM). If your data is in a different format, you may need to adjust the formula accordingly. For example, if your data is “HH:MM” (e.g., 15:30), you can use the formula `=TEXT(TIMEVALUE(A1),”hh:mm:ss AM/PM”)` as is.