How to Change Military Time to Regular Time in Excel
When working with dates and times in Excel, it’s not uncommon to encounter military time, which is a 24-hour clock format. While military time can be useful for scheduling and planning, it can be challenging to work with when you’re used to the 12-hour clock format. In this article, we’ll explore how to change military time to regular time in Excel.
Why Convert Military Time to Regular Time?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s consider why you might want to convert military time to regular time. Here are a few reasons:
- Readability: Military time can be difficult to read, especially for those who are not familiar with it. Converting it to regular time can make it easier to understand and work with.
- Calculation: When working with dates and times in Excel, you may need to perform calculations that involve both military and regular time. Converting military time to regular time can simplify these calculations.
- Reporting: If you’re creating reports or dashboards that involve dates and times, converting military time to regular time can make it easier to present the information in a clear and concise manner.
How to Change Military Time to Regular Time in Excel
There are several ways to change military time to regular time in Excel. Here are a few methods:
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Method 1: Using the TEXT Function
The TEXT function is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to format dates and times in a variety of ways. To change military time to regular time using the TEXT function, follow these steps:
- Enter the military time in a cell, for example, "14:30".
- Select the cell and go to the "Formulas" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "Text" function button in the "Function Library" group.
- In the "Text" function dialog box, enter the following formula:
=TEXT(A1,"hh:mm AM/PM") - Replace "A1" with the cell containing the military time.
- Click "OK" to apply the formula.
The TEXT function will convert the military time to regular time, displaying it in the format "2:30 PM".
Method 2: Using the HOUR and MINUTE Functions
Another way to change military time to regular time is by using the HOUR and MINUTE functions. Here’s how:
- Enter the military time in a cell, for example, "14:30".
- Select the cell and go to the "Formulas" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "HOUR" function button in the "Function Library" group.
- In the "HOUR" function dialog box, enter the following formula:
=HOUR(A1) - Replace "A1" with the cell containing the military time.
- Click "OK" to apply the formula.
- Repeat steps 3-5 for the MINUTE function:
=MINUTE(A1) - Use the following formula to convert the hour and minute to regular time:
=IF(HOUR(A1)>12,"PM","AM")&" "&TEXT(A1,"00")
The formula will convert the military time to regular time, displaying it in the format "2:30 PM".
Method 3: Using a Custom Format
Excel allows you to create custom formats for dates and times. To change military time to regular time using a custom format, follow these steps:
- Enter the military time in a cell, for example, "14:30".
- Select the cell and go to the "Home" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "Number" button in the "Number" group.
- Select "Custom" from the drop-down menu.
- In the "Format" dialog box, enter the following format:
hh:mm AM/PM - Click "OK" to apply the format.
The custom format will convert the military time to regular time, displaying it in the format "2:30 PM".
Tips and Variations
Here are a few tips and variations to keep in mind when converting military time to regular time in Excel:
- 24-hour clock: If you’re working with a 24-hour clock, you can use the following formula to convert it to regular time:
=IF(HOUR(A1)>12,"PM","AM")&" "&TEXT(A1,"00") - AM/PM indicator: If you want to include the AM/PM indicator in your regular time format, you can use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1,"hh:mm AM/PM") - Time zone: If you’re working with dates and times in different time zones, you may need to adjust the conversion formula accordingly.
Conclusion
Converting military time to regular time in Excel is a straightforward process that can be achieved using various methods. Whether you’re using the TEXT function, HOUR and MINUTE functions, or a custom format, the key is to understand the different ways to format dates and times in Excel. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to easily convert military time to regular time and make your work more readable and manageable.
Table: Conversion Methods
| Method | Formula | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TEXT Function | =TEXT(A1,"hh:mm AM/PM") | Converts military time to regular time using the TEXT function |
| HOUR and MINUTE Functions | =IF(HOUR(A1)>12,"PM","AM")&" "&TEXT(A1,"00") | Converts military time to regular time using the HOUR and MINUTE functions |
| Custom Format | hh:mm AM/PM | Converts military time to regular time using a custom format |
Bullets: Key Takeaways
• Use the TEXT function to convert military time to regular time
• Use the HOUR and MINUTE functions to convert military time to regular time
• Use a custom format to convert military time to regular time
• Consider the 24-hour clock and AM/PM indicator when converting military time to regular time
• Adjust the conversion formula accordingly if working with dates and times in different time zones
