How to Create Countdown Timer in Excel (with Easy Steps)

Microsoft Excel is one of the most useful software you can get. Using Excel’s features and tools, it is possible to do an infinite number of things with a dataset. In this article, we’ll talk about how to make a simple countdown timer. A countdown clock can assist us in keeping track of the amount of time left to finish a task or how long we have until a timeframe. Keeping this consciousness, we will study step-by-step procedures to create a Countdown Timer in Excel.

What Is Countdown Timer?

A countdown clock is a digital clock we may find on a home screen. It starts at a certain number or date and counts down to highlight the beginning or conclusion of an event or offer. We can produce a fixed time delay with the use of a timer. Moreover, it can perform an activity repeatedly or initiate one at a specific time interval. This functionality is widely utilized in a variety of diverse uses.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Create Countdown Timer in Excel

Making a Countdown Timer in Excel can be challenging if we are unfamiliar with the correct procedures. This post will guide you through 6 steps for creating a countdown timer in Excel. It will display the time in the first step. In the subsequent three phases, we will develop VBA code to start, restart, and stop the timer. The following step will cover how to design buttons and attach macros to the Countdown Timer. Last but not least, in the final step, we will test the Countdown Timer. To understand the procedure quickly, carefully follow these steps.

Step 1: Display the Countdown Timer

The first part of this procedure will explain how to design a simple and visually appealing clock. Please follow the below instructions to implement the Timer.

To begin, select the B4 cell.
Second, go to the Home tab.
Third, from the Font group, pick the B icon to bold.
After that, set the font size to 20.

Then, click the All border symbol.
Later, choose the Blue Lighter 80% as the Fill Color and the Font Color as Black.
Next, from the Alignment group, select Middle and Center.

Finally, we will get the intended Clock as below.

Step 2: Build a Macro to Start the Countdown

We will write some VBA code to start the Timer in the second step. Here, we will declare a public variable labeled period. Thus, we can access this variable from the different procedures.

First, navigate to the Developer tab, followed by Visual Basic.

Second, click the Insert and then Module to get a Module Box.

Third, write the following code in the Module Box.

Public period As Date
Sub StartClock()
period = Now + TimeValue("00:00:01")
If Range("B4").Value = 0 Then Exit Sub
Range("B4") = Range("B4") - TimeValue("00:00:01")
Application.OnTime period, "StartClock"
End Sub

In this case, we titled StartClock as the Procedure Name. This Macro is responsible for starting the Timer App.
Now, press the Ctrl+S key.

Step 3: Establish Another Macro to Reset the Timer

At this time, we have to build another macro to reset the clock so we can use this Timer frequently. We will initially use this macro to set the clock time to 5. To accomplish the work, please follow the instructions below.

Like previously, open the same Module.
After that, input the below code in the Module Box.

Sub ResetClock()
Range("B4") = TimeValue("00:00:5")
End Sub

In this part, we labeled ResetClock as the Procedure Name. The Macro here can reset the Clock.
Now, press Ctrl+S.

Read More: How to Set Alarm Clock in Excel

Step 4: Generate Last Macro to Stop

Subsequently, in the current section, we will create a procedure to stop the Timer. Please follow the below instructions to complete the task.

Likewise, open the Module. In our study, it is called Module1.
Afterwards, type the code below in the Module Box to create another Macro titled StopClock for this demo.

Sub StopClock()
Application.OnTime EarliestTime:=period, Procedure:="StartClock", Schedule:=False
End Sub

In particular, we will use this Macro to stop the Timer App.
Next, press the Ctrl+S key.

Step 5: Set Buttons to Use the Timer

Finally, we will create buttons to make our application more interactive. Here, we will build three buttons and assign the previously created macros to each button.

To begin, go to the Developer tab.
Second, from the Controls group, click the Insert icon.

Subsequently, a tiny bar will appear.
After that, from the Form Controls, choose the Button symbol.

Presently, draw a rectangle right below the B4 cell.
Consequently, the Assign Macro window will pop up.
At this time, choose the StartClock procedure, followed by OK.

Now, rename the button. In this case, START.
Later, select the text, bold it, and increase its size to 20.

Like previously, create another button for the reset purpose.
Now, draw and place this button below Button 1.
As a result, the Assign Macro will come up.
Next, choose the Macro titled ResetClock, followed by OK.

Now, rename the button. In this scenario, RESET.
Later, bold the text and raise its size to 20.

Similar to before, construct an additional stop button.
Now, draw this button and place it beneath Button 2.
As a result, the Assign Macro dialogue box will appear.
Next, select the StopClock sub-procedure, followed by OK.

Now, change the button’s name. In this situation, STOP.
Later, pick the text, bold it, and make its size 20.

Finally, our Countdown Timer will display like below.

Step 6: Test the Countdown Timer

Now, we will test our Timer App. This application does counting downward from 5 to 0. First of all, we have to reset the Countdown Timer. After that, we can do the start and stop operation on it.

To begin, click the RESET button.
Later, press START.
Afterwards, tap the STOP button.
Next, reset the Countdown Timer again.
Lastly, click the START button.
Thus, the Countdown Time is working perfectly.

Download Practice Workbook

Please click the link below this paragraph if you want a free copy of the sample workbook discussed during the presentation.

Create Countdown Timer.xlsm

Conclusion

You can create a Countdown Timer in Excel by following our outlined processes. Continue to utilize them, and please share any additional suggestions or improved techniques. Remember to include your ideas, questions, and guidance in the supplied space.

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