Timing-Devices-Created-with-Spreadsheet-Software
Created by David Alderoty © 2012
To contact the author (David Alderoty) use this
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30 DEVICES THAT RELATE TO TIME CREATED FOR DEMONSTRATION
AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, WITH MICROSOFT EXCEL
This website provides 30 devices that measure time in one form or another, created with Microsoft Excel, for demonstration and educational purposes. This includes, clocks, clocks for multiple time zones, elapsed timers, project planners that calculate a series of dates, etc. Devices of this nature are useful for planning and time management.
This website also provides links to a number of other websites created by the author that provide free downloads of various types of practical timing devices, and information on time management. The main page where most of these websites are listed is www.TechForText.com/Time
On this website: some of the concepts needed to create various types of timing devices with spreadsheet software are explained. However, this website does not provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to create the timing devices, but a spreadsheet with the formulas can be downloaded, for those who want to study the techniques used to create the devices presented on this website. In addition, links to websites and videos created by a number of other authors, are provided for additional information.
About The Javascript Software on This Website,
And How To Download The Excel Version
Below there are 30 timing devices that were originally created with Microsoft Excel, but they were electronically converted to JavaScript so that they can function over the Internet, in conventional web browsers. If you are interested in studying the formulas and code used to create the software, you can obtain the original Excel version by downloading a zipped folder, by clicking on the link presented below. The zipped folder contains a total of four versions for Excel 2003, and 2007-2010. Two of the Excel files, with the words Formula-Study, provide direct access to the formulas and code, used to create this software. Keep in mind that some of the formulas were specially designed to create this software, and will not function in conventional spreadsheets. (The Excel devices require Windows and Microsoft Excel.)
Left click here to download the zipped folder
Remove the software from the folder before you use it
If you are an expert with spreadsheet software, you can obtain all the information you need to create various types of timing devices, by reading the following material, and downloading and studying the files in the zipped folder, mentioned above. If you do not have expert knowledge and skills with spreadsheet software, the following material should be interesting nevertheless, and it will most likely facilitate the development of your knowledge and skills in this field.
Important Concepts about Timing Devices
Created With Spreadsheet Software
It is important to understand that timing devices that were created with Microsoft Excel, or similar spreadsheet software, must be updated to obtain the correct time and date. For example, if a timing device created with spreadsheet software is opened on your computer on August 23, 2012, at 4:26 PM, it will indicate the above time and date. This date and time will not change, even if you leave the software opened on your computer for a week, unless you update it. You can update the spreadsheet versions either by entering or deleting numbers, and clicking with the mouse, or by opening and closing the software. When a JavaScript timing device is created with spreadsheet software, the exact same concept applies. That is the software will not register any changes in date or time unless it is updated as indicated above. However, with the JavaScript versions, I often provide an update button, which the user can press to update the date and time.
All of the above usually does not result in any practical problems, because most people frequently open and close software, and/or enter or delete data, which automatically updates the time and date. When this is a problem, alternative timing software should be used.
Another Important Note
The date and time displayed on the timing devices created with spreadsheet software, including JavaScript versions, access the date and time on your computer's clock. Thus, if the time and date on your computer is incorrect, the date and time on the spreadsheet and JavaScript software will also be incorrect. If the timing mechanism on your computer malfunctions, this will also be reflected in the time and date displayed by the software.
Formatting Code for Time and Dates
One of the most confusing aspects of Microsoft Excel, and other advanced spreadsheet software, is the way the formatting code, effects the calculated results presented to the user. Most people think of formatting code only in terms of aesthetics, which may contribute to the confusion. For example, when the formatting code [$‑F800]dddd, mmmm dd, yyyy is applied to the date 6/16/2012, you will obtain Saturday, June 16, 2012. However, if you apply the formatting code #,##0 to 6/16/2012 you will obtain 41,076*. (The first 13 devices on this website are designed to demonstrate the Microsoft Excel formatting code in relation to time.)
There are a number of other aspects about the formatting code that can be confusing. There are essentially a limitless number of ways of writing formatting code for time and dates, and the exact way of creating such code is determined by the desired result. The code is placed in a special dialog box, in Microsoft Excel, and not directly in the formulas. The dialog box can be access by pressing the 1 key, WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE Ctrl key. (See the Internet links, below to learn how to write and use formatting code.)
*The number above 41,076 has meaning, which may not be obvious to most people that use Microsoft Excel. It obviously, relates to the date 6/16/2012, but in what way? The answer is Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, and other advanced spreadsheet software, handle dates and time in a way that is similar to the method used by most computer languages. Specifically, the computer can handle dates and time most efficiently, if it has a zero point, for the calculations. The zero point that is used by Microsoft Excel is 12 AM, January 1, 1900. To some people, this may seem strange, because the zero point is over 112 years from the present point in time. However, it works very well, and it provides the functionality for carrying out precise computerized date and time measurements and calculations.
Microsoft Excel uses a 24-hour day as a standard unit for all time measurements and calculations, and this is converted to appropriate units with various types of formatting code, such as years, months, days of the week, hours, minutes, and seconds. These conversions can also be performed with built-in spreadsheet formulas, and/or with manually devise formulas based on arithmetic. For example, multiplying days by 24 converts the result to hours.
Two of the most important formulas for creating timing devices are the =TODAY() and the =NOW(). The =TODAY() formula, counts the number of days from January 1 1900 to the present date. With the default formatting code in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, this is converted to the present date, which is displayed as month/day/year, such as: 6/16/2012. The other formula =NOW() counts the number of days from 12 AM January 1, 1900, to the present date, *WITH A PRECISION OF 10 DECIMAL PLACES. For example, the yellow highlighted section of the following number represents the date, and the black highlighted section represent the time of day.
Date---> 41,076.7144461806<--Time
Saturday, June 16, 2012,5:08:48 PM
Experimental Timers
*NOTE: Some of the experimental elapse timers I created with Microsoft Excel can register time down to a fraction of a nanosecond. (A nanosecond is 1 billionth of a second.) Below there are several experimental timing devices in the JavaScript format, that were originally created with Excel. This includes devices 23 to 27, which keep track of time in milliseconds (1000 of a second), in microseconds, (one-millionth of a second), in nanoseconds, and in picoseconds (one-trillionth of a second). I do not have the equipment to measure the degree of accuracy of these devices, which is the reason I classify them as experimental devices. The accuracy of timing devices of this nature will most likely be influenced by the computer and operating system. The JavaScript versions might be more accurate than the Excel versions, if they are viewed on a powerful computer running Linux, without any superfluous software running in the background.
Keep in mind that timing devices created with Excel, including the JavaScript versions, must be updated so the computed can calculate and display the change in time. The JavaScript versions presented below have update buttons for this purpose.
Additional Information and
Resources From Other Authors
If you do not have Microsoft Excel, there are two very good open source free alternatives, which can be downloaded from the following websites. These software packages also include word processing software that is similar to Microsoft Word, and presentation software that is equivalent to PowerPoint.
There are many good sources on the Internet that provide instruction with Microsoft Excel, and other spreadsheet software. Videos are especially useful in this regard. Below, I compiled a short list of websites and videos that provide instruction related to the material I am presenting below.
Words on website: Custom Cell Formatting in Excel – Few Tips & Tricks
http://chandoo.org/wp/2008/02/25/custom-cell-formatting-in-excel-few-tips-tricks
Words on website: Custom Formatting A Number
www.teachexcel.com/excel-help/excel-how-to.php?i=2141#2
Words on video: How To Custom Format Numbers In Excel
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDTJbeE7bDc
Words on video: Excel 2007 Custom Format
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-qrRRZE1b8
You may want to do your own Internet search for additional information with the following search engines: (tried to follow search phrases “Microsoft Excel” “Formatting code” “Microsoft Excel” “Formatting code” date time. Microsoft Excel time and date, Calculating time with Microsoft Excel
www.spreadsheetconverter.com/excel-search.htm (This is a search engine especially designed for accessing information on Microsoft Excel, and related topics. It also works quite well for obtaining information on OpenOffice Calc.)
www.Video.Google.com This is a Google search engine for videos. Videos are often the ideal source of information for Microsoft Excel, mathematics, and any other software. This is because videos show step-by-step instructions in an animated visual format, which circumvents the limitations of written language. Another advantage is some of the videos are presented in a series that comprises a complete course on various aspects of spreadsheet software. However, conventional websites are usually more useful when you already know how to perform a specific software operation, but you need some quick information, such as a required sequence of keystrokes.
The following are search pages. Left click on the blue link on the left side of the screen, to access the search page. If the link fails, click on the related search engine presented in parentheses and insert the indicated search phrase.
“Custom formatting code” in Microsoft Excel (www.Google.com )
Custom formatting code” in Microsoft Excel ) www.spreadsheetconverter.com/excel-search.htm
Custom formatting code in Microsoft Excel (www.Video.Google.com )
Time and dates in Microsoft Excel (www.Google.com )
Time and dates in Microsoft Excel (www.Aol.com)
Mr. Excel for Videos on Microsoft Excel This webpage is one of the most useful sources of videos that deal with all aspects of Microsoft Excel. If the link above fails do a search with www.YouTube.com, and use the word Mr. Excel as a search phrase.
Excel Magic Tricks This webpage is another very useful source of videos for information about all aspects of Microsoft Excel. If the link above fails do a search with www.YouTube.com, and use the word Excel Magic Tricks as a search phrase.
The Following Software Was
Created By David Alderoty © 2012
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