Converting a Decimal Number to hh:mm:ss Format in Excel (75618)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

This article was previously published under Q75618

SUMMARY

The following formula converts decimal minutes to the hh:mm:ss format in Microsoft Excel

   ="Minutes"/1440
				


where "Minutes" is a decimal number between 0.0 and 1440.0. The portion of the number to the left of the decimal refers to the number of minutes. The decimal portion of the number refers to seconds. 1439.0 minutes is equal to 23 hours and 59 minutes and converts to "23:59:00". There are 1440.0 minutes in 24 hours. Using the formula shown above will return a serial number. To display the serial number in the appropriate format, choose Number from the Format menu (or, on the Format menu, click Cells, and then select the Number tab) and select hh:mm:ss.

To convert hours and minutes from a decimal number to the hh:mm:ss format use the following formula:

   ="Hours.Minutes"/24
				


Example

Use this formula to convert 4.5 minutes to 0:04:30:

   =4.5/1440
				


Decimal hours.minutes:

Use this formula to convert 4.5 hours to 04:30:00:

   =4.5/24
				

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 3.0, pages 200, 236, 239

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2005
Keywords:KB75618