How to create a custom time format

Excel provides a vast number of common time formats. However if you do need a format that is not included in the built-in list then you can create your own custom format as follows:

  1. Right-click on the cell where the date is.
  2. Select Format Cells.
  3. When the dialogue box opens select the Number tab.
  4. In the Category list to the left select Time.
  5. In the Type list to the right select the time format closest to what you want. A sample format will show above.
  6. In the Category list to the left select Custom. A list of custom time formats will show to the right, and the format you selected will show in the Edit Box above.
  7. Modify the format in the Edit Box and watch the sample.
  8. When you are satisfied click OK.
  9. The new format will be applied to the cell and will also be added to the list of custom formats.

Applies to: Excel 2003

Related posts:

  1. How to create a custom date format
  2. How to create, display and delete custom views
  3. How to create a custom list to use in Autofill
  4. How to apply a cell format to other cells
  5. How to create a custom toolbar

Comments

  1. Nana says:

    Could you help?

    I am trying to produce a spreadsheet for a 35hr week, which includes weekend and night working. We work flexible hours. core hours are 8am-10am (for start times) and 5.30pm-7pm for finish times.
    Night shifts start from 7pm to 2am.

    I have done the various columns for the start and finish times. However, when I come to add the column for the week,containing the total hours worked, and authorised absence, i am not getting the result I should get.

    regards

    Nana

  2. admin says:

    I am sorry but it is difficult to understand your problem without some examples. Anyhow here are some links on how to sum times. I hope they will help:

    http://www.exceldigest.com/myblog/2009/02/08/how-to-add-or-sum-times/
    http://www.exceldigest.com/myblog/2009/11/29/how-to-some-times-greater-than-24-hours-in-excel-2007/

    If the problem is not resolved I suggest that you try Excel Help Forum. There you can post a sample of your data to help others understand the problem. Here is the link for the forum:

    http://www.excelforum.com/