How to Convert Time Format from 12-Hour Clock to 24 OR 24 to 12-Hour Clock in Excel
Sometimes we need to enter time into excel, and as we all know there are several formats to show the time. We often use 12-hour clock or 24-hour clock to show the time like 3:01:01PM or 15:01:01, one time displays in two different formats. So if we want to convert time format between them, how we can do? This article will show you the method to convert 12-hour clock to 24-hour clock in excel and vice versa.
Table of Contents
Preset Time Format in Excel
If you just want to enter Time into excel by 12-hour clock or 24-hour clock format, you can preset your cell format to a proper one before entering the time.
Step1: Open a blank excel, select column A for example, right click, select ‘Format Cells…’.
Step 2: In Format Cells, under Number tab, select Time in Category list. Then all Types are loaded in the right. See below screenshot:
Step 3: You can select the Type you expect to show the time when you entering time data into excel. For example, we select the first one 12-hour format to show the time, click OK on Format Cells to save the preset. Then in A1, we enter 13:55:55 directly. After inputting and clicking Enter, 1:55:55 PM is auto displayed in the cell.
If you already have a list of time in existing excel worksheet, how can we convert time format to expect time format? You can follow below steps to convert time format.
Convert from 12-Hour Clock to 24-Hour Clock
Step 1: Prepare a list of time in excel. See below.
Step 2: In column B->B1, enter formula ‘=TEXT(A1,”HH:MM:SS”)’, click Enter. Verify that PM is cleared properly.
Step 3: Copy B1 to B2 and B3 (or hold B1 and drag down to B3 directly). Time in A column is converted to 24-hour clock properly now.
Convert from 24-Hour Clock to 12-Hour Clock
Step 1: Following above steps, a list of 24-hour format time is displayed in B column. Now in column C->C1, enter the formula ‘=TEXT(A1,”HH:MM:SS AM/PM”)’. Verify that 24-hour format is converted back to 12-hour format.
Step 2: Use the same way to fill C2 and C3.
Step 3: Be aware that the slash is “/”, if you entered “\” you may get below result improperly.
Video: Convert Time Format from 12-Hour Clock to 24 OR 24 to 12-Hour Clock in Excel
