دليل Excel

How to Calculate Time Difference in Excel

Calculating the duration between two times is simple in Excel once you understand how to format the cell correctly.

خطوة بخطوة

1
Enter your start and end times
Type your start time in one cell (e.g., A2) and your end time in another (e.g., B2).
2
Subtract the times
In a new cell, enter the formula =B2-A2 to find the difference.
3
Apply custom time formatting
Right-click the result cell, select 'Format Cells', go to the 'Number' tab, choose 'Custom', and enter [h]:mm to display total hours.

=B2-A2

Using square brackets [h] ensures that if the duration exceeds 24 hours, Excel displays the total hours instead of resetting the clock.

Why do I see a series of hash symbols (####) in my cell?

This happens when the result is a negative time value. Ensure your end time is later than your start time.