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Excel HOUR Function
When to Use the Excel HOUR Function in Excel
The HOUR function in Excel comes in handy in various scenarios, such as:
Time-based Analysis: When you want to analyze data based on specific hours of the day, like tracking peak activity hours in a call center or website traffic.
Calculations: When you need to perform calculations that involve time, such as calculating the working hours between two time stamps.
Data Cleaning: To extract and organize time data from a mixed dataset containing both date and time values.
What Excel HOUR Function Returns
The Excel HOUR function returns the hour component of a time value as an integer ranging from 0 to 23. The hour is extracted from a time value you provide as the function’s argument.
Syntax of Excel HOUR Function
The syntax of the Excel HOUR function is as follows:
=HOUR(serial_number)
Input Arguments
Here is the input argument for the Excel HOUR function:
● serial_number: This is the time value from which you want to extract the hour. It can be a reference to a cell containing the time value, a direct time entry enclosed in quotation marks, or a formula that results in a time value.
Extra Notes
● If the input time value is not recognized as a valid time format, the HOUR function will return a #VALUE! error.
● The HOUR function considers time values in Excel to be decimal numbers, where the whole number part represents days, and the decimal part represents time. Be aware of this when working with large time intervals.
Examples of the Excel HOUR Function
The HOUR function is used to extract the hour from date and time values, and it returns the hour as an integer between 0 and 23, depending on the input.
Here is a breakdown of each line in your example:
(1) 10:50:33
- In cell A2, you have a time value 10:50:33. When you apply the HOUR function to this cell, it extracts the hour, which is 10.
(2) 11:21:45 AM
- In cell A3, you have a time value 11:21:45 AM. The HOUR function extracts the hour part, which is 11.
(3) 11:21:45 PM
- The HOUR function correctly interprets this as 11 PM in the 24-hour clock format, which is represented as 23.
(4) 22-09-2023 12:26
- The HOUR function extracts the hour part, which is 12.
(5) 0.60
- The HOUR function tries to extract the hour part, but since this is not a valid time or date-time value. It will calculate 60% of 24 hours and return the hour component here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Excel HOUR function is an essential tool for working with time-based data and performing calculations based on hours. Whether you need to analyze data, calculate time durations, or extract hour components, this function simplifies your tasks and enhances your Excel proficiency.
As with any Excel function, practice is key to mastery. Don’t hesitate to experiment and apply the HOUR function in various scenarios to elevate your Excel skills. Start using the HOUR function today and unlock new possibilities in your data analysis and time-related tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can the HOUR function extract minutes or seconds from a time value?
A1: No, the HOUR function specifically extracts the hour component from a time value. To extract minutes or seconds, you would use the MINUTE or SECOND function, respectively.
Q2: Does the HOUR function work with both 12-hour and 24-hour time formats?
A2: Yes, the HOUR function works with both time formats. It extracts the hour component from the provided time value, regardless of the format.
Q3: What happens if I apply the HOUR function to a cell that doesn’t contain a valid time value?
A3: If you apply the HOUR function to a cell with a non-time value, it will return a #VALUE! error. Ensure that the cell contains a valid time value for the function to work correctly.
Other Related Excel Functions
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