Function: TIME()
🔍 Purpose:
The TIME() function in Excel is used to create a valid time value from hour, minute, and second components.
It’s useful when you have separate columns for hours, minutes, and seconds — and you want to combine them into a single time format (like 09:15:30 AM).
🧮 Syntax:
Parameters:
-
hour → A number between 0 and 23 (24-hour format).
-
minute → A number between 0 and 59.
-
second → A number between 0 and 59.
📘 Explanation:
Excel stores time as a decimal fraction of a 24-hour day.
For example:
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6:00 AM → 0.25
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12:00 PM → 0.5
-
6:00 PM → 0.75
The TIME() function helps you construct that value correctly from parts.
🇮🇳 Indian Example 1: Office Attendance Entry
| Employee ID | Hours | Minutes | Seconds | In Time Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E101 | 9 | 15 | 0 | =TIME(B2,C2,D2) |
9:15 AM |
| E102 | 8 | 45 | 30 | =TIME(B3,C3,D3) |
8:45:30 AM |
| E103 | 10 | 5 | 0 | =TIME(B4,C4,D4) |
10:05 AM |
| E104 | 9 | 30 | 45 | =TIME(B5,C5,D5) |
9:30:45 AM |
👉 This is common in Indian offices where attendance machines export hours, minutes, and seconds separately.
🇮🇳 Indian Example 2: Train Departure Schedule
| Train No | Departure Hour | Departure Minute | Departure Second | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12301 | 6 | 15 | 0 | =TIME(B2,C2,D2) → 6:15 AM |
| 12302 | 10 | 30 | 0 | =TIME(B3,C3,D3) → 10:30 AM |
| 12303 | 15 | 45 | 30 | =TIME(B4,C4,D4) → 3:45:30 PM |
| 12304 | 20 | 10 | 0 | =TIME(B5,C5,D5) → 8:10 PM |
💡 Indian Railways or transport software often converts numeric time data into readable time using the TIME() function.
⚙️ Real-Life Use Cases:
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Creating time logs from imported sensor or machine data.
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Preparing shift timing sheets when data comes in numbers.
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Combining hour, minute, second data from biometric attendance exports.
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Creating simulation data for schools, hospitals, or transportation schedules.
🧩 Project Tasks for Students
🧠 Project Task 1: Bus Timing Report
A private bus company in Kolkata collects travel start time as separate hour, minute, and second columns.
Prepare the full-time column using the TIME() function.
| Bus No | Hour | Minute | Second | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WB04A1234 | 6 | 30 | 0 | |
| WB04B4321 | 7 | 15 | 30 | |
| WB05C5678 | 8 | 45 | 15 | |
| WB06D8765 | 9 | 10 | 45 |
👉 Use =TIME(B2,C2,D2) and apply Time Format → hh:mm:ss AM/PM
🧩 Project Task 2: School Bell Scheduler
A school wants to automate its bell system using Excel time logic.
They record bell rings in parts. Create the full bell time using the TIME() function.
| Period | Bell Hour | Bell Minute | Bell Second | Bell Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Period Start | 9 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1st Period End | 9 | 45 | 0 | |
| 2nd Period Start | 9 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2nd Period End | 10 | 35 | 0 | |
| Lunch Break | 12 | 0 | 0 |
👉 Combine with =TIME(B2,C2,D2)
Optional: Add column → “Bell Type” (Start / End / Break) to make it practical.