Spreadsheets can be useful for working with time data because of Excel’s TIMEVALUE function. The function creates a serial number from a text string that represents a time so that it can be utilized in calculations.
Simply type the text string that represents the time into the function’s parentheses to utilize the TIMEVALUE function.
For example, you might type “=TIMEVALUE(“3:30 PM”)” into a cell in your worksheet to turn the text string “3:30 PM” into a serial number. Following that, the function will return the serial number “0.645833333333333” which represents the time 3:30 PM.
When using the TIMEVALUE function, it’s important to remember that the text string needs to be properly formatted in order for the function to function. The format of the text string should be “h:mm AM/PM” or “h:mm:ss AM/PM,” where “h” stands for the hour, “mm” for the minutes, and “ss” for the seconds. The function will return an error if the text string is not in this format.
To do calculations with time data, the TIMEVALUE function can be combined with other Excel functions. The function can be used in combination with the DATE function, for instance, to determine how many days are in between two dates.
In summary, the Excel TIMEVALUE function is a useful tool for working with time data in spreadsheets. It converts text strings that represent times into serial numbers that can be used in calculations. To use the function, enter the text string into the function’s parentheses and make sure the string is formatted correctly