ExcelDateBeginner

TIMEVALUE

Converts a time represented as text into an Excel serial number for time.

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=TIMEVALUE(time_text)
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What the function does

Overview

Converts a time represented as text into an Excel serial number for time.

The TIMEVALUE function parses a text string that represents a time and returns it as a decimal number between 0 (0:00:00 AM) and 0.999988426 (23:59:59 PM). This serial number is a fraction of a 24-hour day. For instance, 0.5 represents 12:00 PM. This function is crucial when you receive time data as text and need to perform calculations or comparisons with it. It correctly interprets various time formats, including those with AM/PM indicators. If the `ext` argument contains date information, TIMEVALUE ignores it and only converts the time portion. If the `ext` cannot be parsed into a valid time, it will result in a #VALUE! error. Best practice is to ensure the input text closely matches standard time formats for reliable conversion, as ambiguous formats might lead to unexpected results or errors.

Quick reference

Syntax

=TIMEVALUE(time_text)

Inputs

Arguments

time_textA text string representing a time in any Excel time format.
Example: "2:30 PM"

Formula patterns

Examples

1

Converting a simple time string

=TIMEVALUE("2:30 PM")
time conversiontext to time
2

Converting a time string with seconds

=TIMEVALUE("14:15:30")
24-hour formattime calculation

Avoid these issues

Common Errors

1

#VALUE!

Cause: The 'time_text' argument is not a valid time string that Excel can interpret.

Fix: Ensure the 'time_text' argument is in a recognizable time format, such as "HH:MM AM/PM" or "HH:MM:SS".

2

#VALUE!

Cause: The 'time_text' argument refers to an empty cell or a non-text value that cannot be converted.

Fix: Verify that the cell referenced by 'time_text' contains a valid time string.

Platform support

Compatibility

Excel 2007+Google Sheets

Available in Excel 365 and earlier versions.

Source: Microsoft Support

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Converts a time represented as text into an Excel serial number for time.

ext: A text string representing a time in any Excel time format.

#VALUE!: Ensure the 'ext' argument is in a recognizable time format, such as "HH:MM AM/PM" or "HH:MM:SS". #VALUE!: Verify that the cell referenced by 'ext' contains a valid time string.