How to Convert Time to Number in Excel (5 Easy Methods)

This article demonstrates how to convert time to number in Excel. Excel records time as numbers by default. However, due to the formatting of the cells, you frequently see them in multiple formats. Here, we will take you through 5 easy and convenient methods on how to convert time to number in Excel.

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5 Ways to Convert Time to Number in Excel

Suppose you have a list of time ranges. It contains the Times to Convert into Numbers.

Now, we’ll convert those times to numbers using various methods in Excel. So, without further delay, let’s jump into the approaches one by one.

1. Engaging Format Cells Option to Convert Time to Number in Excel

We can apply the Format Cells option to convert our times into numbers. Follow the steps below to understand this method comprehensively.

📌 Steps

• At first, create a new column in the C4:C12 range. Give it a suitable header. In this case, we named it the Number column.
• Secondly, copy cells in the C5:C12 range by pressing CTRL+C.

• Now, paste these into cell C5.

• Then, go to the Home tab.
• After that, select the Number group.
• Next, click on the down arrow in the Number Format box.
• Finally, choose the General format from the list.

• At this point, the times are showing as number values.

We can reduce the digits after the decimal to make it look nicer.

• Initially, select cells in the C5:C12 range.
• Again, go to the Home tab.
• Then, select the Number group.
• After that, click several times on the Decrease Decimal icon until you get your desired digits after the decimal.

• Finally, we converted the times into numbers. And they look like the one below.

Read More: Excel Convert to Number Entire Column (9 Simple Methods)

2. Using TIMEVALUE Function to Convert Time to Number in Excel

An alternative way to do the same job is to use the TIMEVALUE function. Follow the steps below.

📌 Steps

• At first, select cell C5.
• Then, write down the formula below and press ENTER.

Here, B5 represents the time 8:45:12 AM.
In this formula, we used the TEXT function to convert the time in cell B5 into a text string.

• Next, use the Fill Handle tool to get the formula in the remaining lower cells.

• After that, select cell D5 and type in the formula below.
• Then, press the ENTER key.

Here, C5 represents the text string 8:45:12 in cell C5.
Hence, we used the TIMEVALUE function here. This function takes a text string as input. Then, it returns the text string as a representation of time in decimal number format. The decimal value ranges from 0 to 0.99988426, which corresponds to the hours between 0:00:00 (12:00:00 AM) and 23:59:59 (11:59:59 PM).

• Finally, the numbers look like the one below.

Read More: How to Convert Text to Number Using Formulas in Excel

3. Applying Simple Arithmetic Formula

Also, we can assign simple arithmetic calculations. To solve this way, follow the steps carefully.

📌 Steps

• At the very beginning, select cell C6.
• Then, write down the formula below and press ENTER.

Here, B6 serves as the cell reference for the first Time in the list.
In the formula above, we multiplied B6 by 24 as this is the number of hours in a day.

• At this point, go to the Home tab.
• After that, select the Number group.
• Next, click on the down arrow in the Number Format box.
• Finally, choose the Number format from the list.

• Instantly, it looks like the one below.
• Finally, the time is converted into the number of hours.

• After that, use the Fill Handle tool to get the full results.

• Then, select cell D6 and paste down the formula below.

Here, we multiplied the cell reference of B6 with 1440 as it’s the number of minutes in a whole day.

• After that, press ENTER.

• Similarly, we can get the number in seconds.
• At first, select cell F6.
• Then, write down the formula below and press ENTER.

In such a situation, we multiplied the value of cell B6 by 86400. Because it’s the number of seconds in a whole day.

• At last, we converted the Time into the Number of Hours, Minutes, and Seconds.

Read More: How to Convert Hours and Minutes to Decimal in Excel (2 Cases)

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4. Implementing HOUR, MINUTE, and SECOND Functions

We can use multiple Excel functions at a time to solve this problem. Follow our steps below.

📌 Steps

• Primarily, select cell C6 and put down the formula below.

Here, B6 serves as the cell reference for the first Time in the list.

• After that, press the ENTER key.

• Again, select cell D6 and put down the formula below.

Here, we’re calculating the number in minutes. So, we have to multiply the output of the HOUR function by 60. This converts the value from hours to minutes.

• Similarly, we can convert the Time into a number of Seconds.
• At first, select cell E6 and paste the formula below.

• Then, press ENTER.

• Finally, we converted the Time into Numbers of Hours, Minutes, and Seconds.

Read More: How to Convert Degrees Minutes Seconds to Decimal Degrees in Excel

5. Employing CONVERT Function

A very well substitute to convert time into numbers in Excel is to use the CONVERT function. Follow the steps below.

📌 Steps

• Firstly, select cell C6 and write down the formula below.

Here, B6 represents the time 8:45:12 AM.

In this function, the last two arguments are from_unit and to_unit. From_unit is the unit of the input. Whereas, to_unit is the unit for the result. In this case, the day is the from_unit and hr is the to_unit. This function converts the time of the day to just hours.

• Similarly, convert the Time to Minutes and Seconds also using the same function. Just change the to_unit to mn and sec respectively.

Conversion of Time Difference to Numbers

Let’s say, we have a dataset containing the Start Time in Column Cand End Time in Column D of a certain work. Also, Column B holds the Names of the individuals who have done the job.

• From the dataset, we calculated the time difference first.
• At first, select cell E5 and paste down the formula below.

Here, C5 and D5 serve as cell references for the first Start and End Time. These are 7:40 AM and 12:25 PM.

• Then, press the ENTER key.

• At this point, copy cells in the E5:E10 range.
• Then, go to the Home tab.
• After that, select Paste in the ribbon as per the image below.
• Later, select cell F5.
• Finally, paste the copied data as Values (V).

• Then, change the cell format as we have done before in Method 3.

• Finally, the time difference is shown as numbers on the sheet.

Read More: How to Convert Degrees Decimal Minutes to Decimal Degrees in Excel

Practice Section

For doing practice by yourself we have provided a Practice section like below in each sheet on the right side. Please do it by yourself.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this article, we hope this was helpful. Please let us know in the comment section if you have any queries or suggestions. Please visit our website ExcelDemy to explore more.

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