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How to Subtract Time in Excel to Get Hours?

If you work with Excel spreadsheets, you know that sometimes you need to subtract two times to get the total number of hours in between them. It can seem like a daunting task, but with the right steps and formulas, you can easily subtract time in Excel to get hours. In this article, we will take a look at the different ways to subtract time in Excel and how to use the formulas to get the total number of hours. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert using Excel, this guide will help you quickly subtract time and get the results you need.

How to Subtract Time in Excel to Get Hours?

How to Subtract Time Values in Excel to Get Hours

Subtracting time values in Microsoft Excel can be a difficult task if you don’t understand the concept of time values. Time values in Excel are stored as fractions of a day and not as hours, minutes, and seconds. To subtract one time value from another, you must first convert the time values to their decimal equivalents, subtract the values, and then convert the result back to the time format. In this article, we will discuss how to subtract time values in Excel to get hours.

Step 1: Enter the Time Values

The first step to subtracting time values in Excel is to enter the two time values into two separate cells. The time values should be entered in either the 24-hour format (HH:MM:SS) or the 12-hour format (h:MM:SS AM/PM). Once the time values have been entered, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Convert the Time Values to Decimals

The next step is to convert the time values to their decimal equivalents. This can be done by using the HOUR, MINUTE, and SECOND functions in Excel. The syntax for these functions is as follows:

HOUR() Function

The HOUR function returns the hour component of a time value as a number between 0 and 23. The syntax for the HOUR function is:

MINUTE() Function

The MINUTE function returns the minute component of a time value as a number between 0 and 59. The syntax for the MINUTE function is:

SECOND() Function

The SECOND function returns the second component of a time value as a number between 0 and 59. The syntax for the SECOND function is:

Step 3: Calculate the Difference

Once the time values have been converted to their decimal equivalents, you can calculate the difference between the two values. To do this, subtract the two decimal values from each other using the minus sign (-). The result of this calculation will be the difference between the two time values in decimal form.

Step 4: Convert the Result to Time Format

The final step is to convert the difference between the two time values back to the time format. This can be done by using the TIME function in Excel. The syntax for the TIME function is:

TIME() Function

The TIME function returns the time value of a number between 0 and 1 as a time in the format HH:MM:SS. The syntax for the TIME function is:

By following these steps, you can easily subtract time values in Excel to get the number of hours between two times.

Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Formula for Subtracting Time in Excel?

The formula for subtracting time in Excel is: =End Time – Start Time. To use this formula, both the start time and end time must be entered in the same format, either as a number or as a time value. For example, if the start time is entered as 9:00am and the end time is 10:15am, the formula would be: =10:15am – 9:00am. This formula will result in the time difference of 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What is the Easiest Way to Subtract Time in Excel?

The easiest way to subtract time in Excel is to use the TIME function. This function allows you to specify the start time and end time in a single line of code. For example, the formula =TIME(10,15,0) – TIME(9,00,0) will result in the time difference of 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Can I Subtract Time in Excel and Get the Result in Hours?

Yes, you can subtract time in Excel and get the result in hours. To do this, you will need to use the HOUR function. This function takes two arguments, the start time and end time, and will return the difference in hours. For example, the formula =HOUR(10,15,0) – HOUR(9,00,0) will result in the time difference of 1 hour.

Can I Subtract Time in Excel with Decimal Results?

Yes, you can subtract time in Excel with decimal results. To do this, you will need to use the MOD function. This function takes two arguments, the start time and end time, and will return the difference as a decimal. For example, the formula =MOD(10,15,0) – MOD(9,00,0) will result in the time difference of 1.25 hours.

What is the Best Way to Format the Result of a Time Subtraction?

The best way to format the result of a time subtraction is to use the TEXT function. This function takes two arguments, the result of the subtraction, and the desired format. For example, the formula =TEXT(MOD(10,15,0) – MOD(9,00,0),”h:mm”) will format the result of 1.25 hours as 1:15.

What is the Difference Between Subtracting Time in Excel and Adding Time in Excel?

The difference between subtracting time in Excel and adding time in Excel is that subtracting time results in the difference of two time values, while adding time results in the sum of two time values. For example, if you subtract 10:00am – 9:00am, the result will be 1 hour, while if you add 10:00am + 9:00am, the result will be 19:00 (7:00pm).

How to Calculate Time in Excel / Add Time, Subtract Time Excel – Tutorial ⏰

In conclusion, subtracting time in Excel to get hours is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. By formatting your time values, using the simple subtraction formula, and formatting the result as a time value, you can quickly and easily calculate the number of hours between two points in time. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to leverage Excel’s power to save time and quickly accomplish your time-based tasks.