Formating Cells: Converting minutes to seconds!

[benadd]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have a table of values in the format 'mm:ss' (minutes and seconds), and i'm wanting to convert that to 'ssss' (all seconds).

e.g. 27:15 should become 1635 seconds.

I've tried 'Format Cell...' and then creating a Custom format 'ssss', but it only gives me 2 digits instead of four.

i.e. the example above would come out as 35 seconds.

Is there any way to rectify this at all? Can I convert minutes and seconds to seconds?

Please post a reply even if you don't think there is a solution!

Thank you.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have a table of values in the format 'mm:ss' (minutes and seconds), and i'm
wanting to convert that to 'ssss' (all seconds).

e.g. 27:15 should become 1635 seconds.

I've tried 'Format Cell...' and then creating a Custom format 'ssss', but it
only gives me 2 digits instead of four.

i.e. the example above would come out as 35 seconds.

Is there any way to rectify this at all? Can I convert minutes and seconds to
seconds?

If you just want to display seconds, choose Format/Cells/Number/Custom:

[ss]

If you actually want to convert, then use the fact that XL stores times
as fractional days, and multiply the time by 24 hrs/day * 60 min/hr * 60
sec/min, or 86400.

One way:

Enter 86400 in a blank cell. Copy the cell. Select your times. Choose
Edit/Paste Special, selecting the Values and Multiply radio buttons.
Format as General or another number format.