General number format applied to improper time entry in Excel for Mac (178460)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel X for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q178460

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel for Mac, when you enter a time into a cell, the cell may change to the General number format and display a decimal number.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you enter an improper time value, where the minutes are greater than or equal to 60. For example if you type "5:62" (without the quotation marks) the cell displays "0.25138889"

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, change the cell to the Time number format. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click to select the cell.
  2. On the Format menu, click Cells.
  3. On the Number tab, click Time in the Category list, and then click the time format you want in the Type list. Click OK.
Note: The numbers will be converted to a proper time value. For example, if you typed 5:62 and then changed the number format; the value of 6:02 will show in the cell.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

REFERENCES

Excel X and later versions

For more information about formatting, click Excel Help on the Help menu, type number formats, click Search, and then click a topic to view it.

Excel 2001

For more information about formatting, click the Office Assistant, type Excel displays numbers, click Search, and then click a topic to view it.

Note If the Office Assistant is hidden, click Office Assistant on the standard toolbar.

Excel 98

For more information about formatting, click the Office Assistant, type Excel displays numbers, click Search, and then click Change the way Microsoft Excel displays numbers to view the topic.

Note If the Office Assistant is hidden, click Office Assistant on the standard toolbar.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/6/2005
Keywords:kbbug KB178460
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.