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Converting hours and minutes into minutes in Excel

There is a way to convert time expressed in hours and minutes into minutes only, even though Excel doesn´t have a minutes-only format. Enter a measure of time in hours and minutes, such as 2:25, into any cell, such as A1. In another cell, enter the formula =Hour(A1)*60+minute(A1). Excel will then convert the time into minutes.

If the result is still in time format (00:00 or similar), then click the Comma Style button (to the right of the percentage button) on the toolbar or select the General format from Format, Cells, Number.

Converting seconds into hours, minutes and seconds in Excel

To convert a number of seconds into a more conventional hours, minutes and seconds time format in Excel, follow these two simple steps:

1) Divide the number by (24*60*60), so if the number is in cell A1, put in a calculation which says =A1/(24*60*60).

2) Then choose the required time format from Format, Cells, Number.

Convert minutes into hours, minutes and seconds in Excel

To convert a number of minutes into a more conventional hours, minutes and seconds format in Excel, just follow these two simple steps:

1) Divide the number by (24*60), so if the number is in cell A1, put a formula in any other cell which reads =A1/(24*60)
2) Then choose the required time format from Format, Cells, Number.

Automatically format based on the value in an Excel cell

Why waste time looking for cells which meet certain criteria? Excel can be set up to format something in a particular way only if the cell meets certain conditions.

To apply a conditional format, select the cells that you want to apply the formatting to and choose conditional formatting from the format menu.

Set the criteria (as in B6 is greater than 15) and create a format to apply when that condition is met.

By selecting add from the conditional formatting dialog box, you can create up to three conditions for each cell or group of cells.

Select the data in an Excel column with the mouse

To select the data in an Excel column using the mouse, hold down the shift key and double click on the bottom edge of the top cell.

Excel´s TEXT function - What does it do?

Excel´s TEXT Function converts a number to text in a format which you specify.

If cell A1 contains 2, then:

=TEXT(2,"dddd")
returns Monday

Latest date allowed for calculation in Excel

The latest date allowed for calculation in Excel is December 31, 9999

Quickly copy an Excel worksheet

Sometimes, it can be really useful to generate a copy of an existing Excel worksheet.

To do this, hold down the control key and drag the worksheet tab to the right.

A new sheet will be created with the same name as the existing one, followed by (2).

Uses for the F4 key in Excel

In Excel the F4 key repeats the last action you carried out.

Shift - F4 repeats the last Find you carried out (Find Next).

Ctrl - F4 closes the current workbook.

Alt - F4 exits the application.

Delete a column in Excel

To delete a column quickly in Excel, select the column, hold down control and press - (minus)

Maximum days that Excel change history is maintained

The change history in Excel is set by default to be maintained for 30 days, however it can be set to a maximum of 32,767 days.

Selecting non-adjacent Excel columns

To select non-adjacent Excel columns (as in columns A, C and G), click on the column header of the first column, hold down the control key and then click on the next header, then the next etc.

Uses for the F10 key in Excel

The F10 key activates the menu bar.

Shift - F10 displays a shortcut menu.

Ctrl - F10 maximises or restores the workbook window.

Activate AutoSum from the keyboard in Excel

When using autosum in Excel, it can be frustrating to keep switching between keyboard and mouse all the time. To activate the AutoSum function with the keyboard, select the cell where you want the answer to be, hold down the Alt key and press =.

Moving to the end of a column of data in Excel

To move to the last cell which contains data in an Excel column, double click on the bottom of the cell. To move to the end of a row, double click on the right hand side of the cell.

Excel´s CHAR function - What does it do?

The Excel CHAR function returns the ASCII character which conforms to a code number which you specify (between 1 and 255).

If A1 contains 116, then:

=CHAR(A1)

Returns t.

Maximum number of scenarios

The maximum number of scenarios in an Excel workbook is limited only by available memory, however only the first 251 scenarios will appear on a scenario summary report.

Select all data in an Excel table

To select all data within an Excel table, click anywhere within your table, hold down the Ctrl key and press * (on the numeric keypad). You can also use Ctrl, Shift 8.