I have a two part question but if anyone has an answer to even one of
these my problem will be solved!!

I am entering time into a spreadsheet using a 24 hour clock, for
example:

A1 23:30
A2 08:00

The problem is.... I am doing this in mass quantities and would like to
use the number pad exclusively. So if anyone can tell me

1) Is there a way that I can create a shortcut so that a key or
combination of keys on the number pad will enter a colon?

AND/OR

2) Is there a way I can format the cells so that when I enter the 4
digits it will automatically format to enter the colon in the
appropriate place?

I have experimented at length with option 2 and have become frustrated.
I used "format - numbers - time" but it does not matter if I format
then enter the numbers or enter the numbers then format - it turns my
numbers to 0:00 I am hoping someone has run into this and can help.


--
transpark

Hi!

A couple of options.

See this:

http://cpearson.com/excel/DateTimeEntry.htm

Another option:

Temporarily set AutoCorrect to replace one of the non-numeric keys on the 10
keypad with a colon. The decimal point ( . ) is the most ergonomic but you
may still want to enter decimal values at the same time.

For example: setting AutoCorrect to replace . with :

You type in 13.30

It becomes 13:30 (a time value)

Maybe use the backslash if you "need" the decimal point:

AutoCorrect: replace / with :

13/30

Becomes 13:30

Just remember to reset AutoCorrect after you're done!

Biff

"transpark" wrote in message
.. .

I have a two part question but if anyone has an answer to even one of
these my problem will be solved!!

I am entering time into a spreadsheet using a 24 hour clock, for
example:

A1 23:30
A2 08:00

The problem is.... I am doing this in mass quantities and would like to
use the number pad exclusively. So if anyone can tell me

1) Is there a way that I can create a shortcut so that a key or
combination of keys on the number pad will enter a colon?

AND/OR

2) Is there a way I can format the cells so that when I enter the 4
digits it will automatically format to enter the colon in the
appropriate place?

I have experimented at length with option 2 and have become frustrated.
I used "format - numbers - time" but it does not matter if I format
then enter the numbers or enter the numbers then format - it turns my
numbers to 0:00 I am hoping someone has run into this and can help.


--
transpark