Stopwatch

[Bob]

Can Excel be programed to perform a stopwatch function? I have mutiple
runners I need to time and wanted to use excel to help capture the data.

 

[Shane Devenshire]

Hi,

the function =NOW() recalculates everytime the spreadsheet recalculates and
you can manually recalculate by pressing F9. However, if you want to build a
stop watch type function you will need to write a VBA program.

 

[FSt1]

hi
see this site for a free addi
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Business/MS_Office_Add-ins/Excel_Stopwatch.html

regards
FSt1

 

[pomegranate-man]

Can Excel be programed to perform a stopwatch function?

I did the following with Excel 2003 and it seems to work.


One-time-setup of the spreadsheet
---------------------------------

Start with
File > New > Blank workbook

To allow circular references, use
Tools > Options > Calculation
Check the "Iterations" checkbox.
Set "Maximum iterations" to 1 (one).

Type the letter x into cell A2.

In cell A1, put
=IF(A2="",A1+1,-1)

In cell B1, put
=IF($A$2="",IF(ROW()=$A$1,NOW(),B1),0)
Extend this down for at least as many rows as there are steps for the
time readings.

Select column B and use
Format > Cells > Number > Custom
with the pattern
hh:mm:ss.00;;

In columns C onward, put calculations using time readings that will
appear in column B later. For example, putting
=B2-B1
in C2 and extending down would calculate difference times between steps.

Save the workbook. It'll serve as a starting point each time.


To use the stopwatch
--------------------

Open the saved workbook.

To activate the stopwatch, delete the contents of A2.

To click the stopwatch, press the F9 key . A new time reading appears in
column B each time F9 is pressed.

Once you are finished, you can (optionally) reset the spreadsheet by
typing x in A2 again. This way, the spreadsheet can be re-used without
opening it again.


Caution

 

[smartin]

I did the following with Excel 2003 and it seems to work.


One-time-setup of the spreadsheet
---------------------------------

Start with
File > New > Blank workbook

To allow circular references, use
Tools > Options > Calculation
Check the "Iterations" checkbox.
Set "Maximum iterations" to 1 (one).

Type the letter x into cell A2.

In cell A1, put
=IF(A2="",A1+1,-1)

In cell B1, put
=IF($A$2="",IF(ROW()=$A$1,NOW(),B1),0)
Extend this down for at least as many rows as there are steps for the
time readings.

Select column B and use
Format > Cells > Number > Custom
with the pattern
hh:mm:ss.00;;

In columns C onward, put calculations using time readings that will
appear in column B later. For example, putting
=B2-B1
in C2 and extending down would calculate difference times between steps.

Save the workbook. It'll serve as a starting point each time.


To use the stopwatch
--------------------

Open the saved workbook.

To activate the stopwatch, delete the contents of A2.

To click the stopwatch, press the F9 key . A new time reading appears in
column B each time F9 is pressed.

Once you are finished, you can (optionally) reset the spreadsheet by
typing x in A2 again. This way, the spreadsheet can be re-used without
opening it again.


Caution
-------

Allowing circular references can be a risk. Later, if you make a
circular reference in the workbook by mistake, Excel won't flag it as an
error.

I had to try it. Brilliant!

 

[pomegranate-man]

I had to try it. Brilliant!

You're too kind.