How to Convert Military Time to Standard Time in Excel

If you’ve ever had to work with Excel spreadsheets that feature military time, you know how confusing and frustrating it can be. Unlike standard time – which uses a 12-hour clock with AM and PM indicators – military time operates on a 24-hour clock, a system that can be difficult to comprehend if you’re not familiar with it.

However, converting military time to standard time in Excel doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a few simple formulas and a bit of practice, you can quickly and accurately convert any existing military time data into the standard time format.

Introduction

If you work with Excel spreadsheets regularly, chances are you’ve come across military time. Also known as 24-hour time, military time is a system that operates on a 24-hour clock instead of the 12-hour clock used in standard time.

While it may seem confusing at first, converting military time to standard time in Excel is a straightforward process. In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to make the conversion confidently and accurately.

Step 1: Understanding Military Time

Before you can convert military time to standard time in Excel, you need to know how military time works. Military time works on a 24-hour clock and addresses the time from 0000 to 2400. The hours and minutes are separated by a colon and there are no AM/PM indicators.

Example:

If military time shows 1800, it means 6:00 PM in standard time.

Step 2: Converting Military Time to Standard Time

The easiest way to convert military time to standard time in Excel is to use the TEXT function.

Example:

Suppose you have military time data in cell A1 and you want to convert it to standard time:

1. Select the cell where you want to show the converted time.
2. Enter the following formula: =TEXT(A1/24, "h:mm AM/PM")
3. Press Enter to display the converted time in the standard time format.

Step 3: Using Custom Number Format

If you want a quick solution to converting military time to standard time in Excel without using a formula, you can use the custom number format feature.

Example:

Suppose you have military time data in cell A1 and you want to convert it to standard time:

1. Select the cell where you want to show the converted time.
2. Right-click the cell and select Format Cells.
3. Click on the Number tab and select Custom.
4. In the Type field, enter the following format: hh:mm AM/PM
5. Click OK to display the converted time in the standard time format.

Converting military time to standard time in Excel doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right knowledge and a bit of practice, you can quickly and easily convert any military time data in your spreadsheets.

Whether you prefer using a formula or a custom number format, the techniques we’ve outlined in this post will help you convert military time to standard time confidently and accurately.

The Importance of Converting Military Time to Standard Time

Converting military time to standard time is a necessary process if you want to make sense of your data. While military time has its advantages, it can confuse people who are used to seeing time on a 12-hour clock scale. Consequently, converting your military time data to standard time can help you understand your data better and relate to it.

Common Mistakes When Converting Military Time to Standard Time

Converting military time to standard time in Excel is a rather simple process, but it’s crucial that you do it correctly. There are a few common mistakes people make when converting military time to standard time, such as forgetting to divide the military time value by 24 or failing to use the proper time format.

It’s recommended that you double-check your formulas, decimals, and formats during the conversion process to ensure you don’t make any errors.

When to Use Military Time

Military time is frequently used in military settings, aviation, healthcare, and transportation. It’s standard to use military time in these industries because it eliminates confusion when multiple parties are operating on different time zones. It also helps people communicate exactly when something needs to happen.

When it comes to everyday life, military time can still be useful, especially in making deadlines, coordinating schedules and communicating with coworkers in different time zones.

Learning how to convert military time to standard time is an essential tool that anyone who uses Excel spreadsheets frequently needs to know. It’s a simple process that can help you make sense of your data and understand it better.

Follow the steps carefully, and double-check your formulas and formats to avoid any errors. Whether you’re in search of a quick solution or a long-term solution, the tips we’ve provided will help you get the job done quickly and efficiently.

FAQs about Converting Military Time to Standard Time in Excel

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about converting military time to standard time in Excel:

1. Can I change military time to standard time in bulk?

Yes, you can convert multiple military time values to standard time in bulk by using the fill handle. Select the cell containing the converted time and drag the fill handle to the cells where you want to convert the military time. The fill handle will automatically populate the cells with the new time value.

2. What time format should I use in Excel for standard time?

You should use the “hh:mm AM/PM” format when converting military time to standard time in Excel. This format uses the 12-hour clock system and AM/PM indicators to show the time.

3. How to convert standard time to military time in Excel?

To convert standard time to military time in Excel, you’ll have to use a formula. You can convert standard time to military time by multiplying the time value by the number 24. The formula would look like this: =A1*24

4. How do I format military time correctly in Excel?

To format military time correctly in Excel, you should select the cell or column containing the military time data, and then choose the Custom format option. In the Type field, you should type the format you want, such as “HH:MM”, “H:MM”, or “HH:MM:SS”.

5. Can I convert military time to 12-hour time without using a formula?

Yes, you can convert military time to 12-hour time without using a formula. You can use Excel’s custom number format feature to make the conversion. Simply select the cell containing the military time value and format it to “h:mm AM/PM”. This will convert the military time value to standard 12-hour time without the need to use a formula.