How to change military time on google sheets?

How to Change Military Time on Google Sheets

If you’re a military professional, a veteran, or simply someone who works with military time on a daily basis, you know how frustrating it can be to work with two different systems of time. Military time is a vital part of many industries, including law enforcement, medicine, transportation, and of course, the military itself. In this article, we’ll show you how to convert military time to standard time and vice versa using Google Sheets.

Why Is Military Time So Important?

Military time is important for several reasons:

• Clear Communication: In high-stress situations, clear communication is crucial. Military time helps ensure that messages are concise and free from ambiguity.
• Efficient Planning: Military time allows for precise scheduling and planning, which is essential in complex operations.
• Easy Calculation: Military time simplifies arithmetic operations, as there is no need to worry about converting between hours and half-hours.

How to Change Military Time on Google Sheets

Now that you understand the importance of military time, let’s dive into the process of converting military time to standard time and vice versa in Google Sheets.

Converting Military Time to Standard Time

There are two methods to convert military time to standard time in Google Sheets:

Method 1: Using Formulas

• Insert a new column: To convert military time to standard time, you’ll need to insert a new column in your spreadsheet.
• Use the HOUR function: In the new column, use the HOUR function to extract the hour component of the military time.
• Add 1: Add 1 to the result, as the hour component of military time starts from 0, whereas standard time starts from 1.
• Format the result: Use the TEXT function to format the result as a string in the desired format.

Example:

=TEXT(HOUR(A1)+1, "hh:mm AM/PM")

Where A1 contains the military time (e.g., "1400").

Method 2: Using Lookup Table

• Create a lookup table: Create a lookup table with two columns: one for military time and one for standard time.
• Use VLOOKUP function: In the cell where you want to display the standard time, use the VLOOKUP function to look up the military time in the lookup table.
• Format the result: Format the result as a string in the desired format.

Example:

=VLOOKUP(A1, A2:B10, 2, FALSE)

Where A1 contains the military time (e.g., "1400"), and A2:B10 is the lookup table.

Converting Standard Time to Military Time

Converting standard time to military time is easier:

• Use the TEXT function: Use the TEXT function to format the standard time in the 24-hour clock format (HH:MM).
• Remove spaces: Remove any spaces or colons from the result.

Example:

=TEXT(A1, "HHMM")

Where A1 contains the standard time (e.g., "2:40 PM").

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when working with military time in Google Sheets:

• Format cells accordingly: Make sure to format cells containing military time and standard time differently to avoid confusion.
• Use constants: Use constants (e.g., 24, 12) instead of hardcoded values (e.g., "HH:MM", "12:30") to ensure flexibility.
• Check for errors: Always check for errors and inconsistencies in your spreadsheet to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, changing military time on Google Sheets is a relatively simple process that can be achieved through the use of formulas or lookup tables. By understanding the importance of military time and following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to effectively convert between military time and standard time. Whether you’re a military professional or simply someone who works with military time on a daily basis, Google Sheets makes it easy to manage this conversion process with ease.

Table of Conversions

Note: This table is not exhaustive, but it provides an idea of the conversion process.