How to convert military time to regular time in excel?

How to Convert Military Time to Regular Time in Excel

Are you struggling to convert military time to regular time in Excel? Do you frequently work with time-sensitive data and need to perform time conversions? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through a step-by-step process to convert military time to regular time in Excel.

What is Military Time?

Before we dive into the conversion process, it’s essential to understand what military time is. Military time is a 24-hour clock system, where the day starts at 0000 (midnight) and ends at 2359 (11:59 PM). In contrast, regular time, also known as AM/PM time, uses a 12-hour clock system. Military time is commonly used in military, aviation, and healthcare industries, and it’s crucial to master the conversion process to avoid errors and misunderstandings.

Conversion Methods

There are two primary methods to convert military time to regular time in Excel:

Method 1: Using the HOUR and HOUR(INT) Functions

In this method, you will use the HOUR and HOUR(INT) functions to convert military time to regular time.

Step 1: Enter the military time in a cell (e.g., A1). For example, 0630 represents 6:30 AM.

Step 2: Enter the following formula in the adjacent cell (e.g., B1): =HOUR(INT(A1))

Step 3: Adjust the formula as follows:

• If the resulting value is less than 12, add AM to the result. For example, if the result is 6, it becomes 6:00 AM.
• If the resulting value is 12 or more, add PM to the result. For example, if the result is 14, it becomes 2:00 PM.

Method 2: Using the TEXT and DATE Functions

In this method, you will use the TEXT and DATE functions to convert military time to regular time.

Step 1: Enter the military time in a cell (e.g., A1). For example, 1730 represents 5:30 PM.

Step 2: Enter the following formula in the adjacent cell (e.g., B1): =TEXT(A1,"h:mm AM/PM")

Step 3: The formula will convert the military time to regular time, including the AM/PM designation.

Combining Both Methods

In some cases, you might need to convert multiple formats of military time to regular time. To simplify this process, you can use a combination of both methods.

Step 1: Enter the military time in a cell (e.g., A1). For example, 0900 represents 9:00 AM.

Step 2: Use Method 1 to convert the military time to regular time: =HOUR(INT(A1)).

Step 3: Use Method 2 to format the result to include the AM/PM designation: =TEXT(A2,"h:mm AM/PM")

Tips and Variations

• To convert 24-hour clock time to 12-hour clock time, use the following formulas:

  • Method 1: =INT(A1/100) & ":" & MOD(A1,100)
  • Method 2: =TEXT(A1,"h:mm")

• To add a specific time zone, use the following formula:

  • =A1 & " " & "UTC-5" (for Eastern Standard Time)

• To use a custom format for your time conversion, use the following formula:

  • =TEXT(A1,"hh:mm:ss tt") (for a 12-hour clock format with seconds)

Practice Exercises

To help solidify your understanding of military time conversion, try practicing with the following exercises:

By mastering the conversion of military time to regular time in Excel, you will become proficient in working with time-sensitive data and improve your accuracy in calculations and reports.

Conclusion

In conclusion, converting military time to regular time in Excel requires a combination of the HOUR and HOUR(INT) functions, the TEXT and DATE functions, and a deep understanding of the conversion process. By following the steps outlined in this article and practicing with the exercises, you will become proficient in converting military time to regular time in Excel.