How to Stop Google Sheets from Changing to Military Time

In Google Sheets, the military time layout is the default time setting. But if you prefer the standard AM/PM format, how do you stop Sheets from changing it to military time?

There are a few ways you can go about it. You can go with a function or the custom formatting option. In this article, we’ll show you how to apply both methods. And we’ll also tell you more about the custom formatting of numbers in Google Sheets.

Converting Military Time to Standard Time

If you have a military time format in your spreadsheet, how do you convert it to standard time? Let’s use an example – if you have the time 21:55:33 in cell A1 and want to turn it to the 12-hour format, here’s what you do:

1. Use the cell B1 to enter this formula =text (A1, “HH:MM: SS AM/PM”).
2. Hit Enter.

The result in the B1 cell will be 9:55:33 PM.

But the problem with this formula is that it only works if you use it in another cell. When you need to convert military time to standard time in the same cell, you need to use formatting tools. So, how does that work exactly? Follow these steps to find out:

1. Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets on your computer.
   
2. Select all of the cells you want to format.
   
3. Now, navigate to the toolbar and select “Format”.
   
4. Click on the “Number,” and from a new menu, select “More Formats”.
   
5. Select “More date and time formats”.
   
6. In the menu box, search for the 12-hour time format. If you don’t have it, you can add your own in the text box.
   
7. Select “Apply”.
   

Changing the Location and Time Zone in Google Sheets

But here’s something you should know – default time and date settings in Google Sheets are based on your location.

But you can change the time zone, locale, and even function language. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open a Google Sheets spreadsheet on your computer.
2. Select “File” from the toolbar.
3. Click on “Spreadsheet settings”.
4. Select “General,” followed by “Locale” and “Time Zone”.
5. Select “Save settings”.

Custom Currency Formatting in Google Sheets

If you’re using Google Sheets to enter international time and date settings, you might need to use different kinds of currencies.

You can custom formatting currencies in Google Sheets by following a similar path of formatting time, and date settings. Here’s what you do:

1. Open Google Sheets on your computer.
2. Select all the data you want to format.
3. Select “Format” and then “Number”.
4. From the new menu, select “More Formats” and then “More currencies”.
5. Scroll through the list to find the format you need. If you can’t find it, you can create a custom currency format.
6. Select “Apply”.

Changing a currency format in Google Sheets also includes changing a few currency properties. You can choose how many decimals will show. All you need to do is check the drop-down menu and select the option you want.

You can choose custom number formatting in Google Sheets as well. If you have a problem with stopping Google Sheets from erasing leading zeros in the numbers you’re entering, you can fix that problem by selecting a specific number of digits for every cell.

You can also use the “Numbers” option to turn numbers into text and perform certain functions that would otherwise not be possible.

Formatting Numbers in Google Sheets

Google Sheets is an excellent tool with many purposes. But it also comes with certain default settings that aren’t always what you need. Just like military time format – it can often seem a bit too formal, and not everyone immediately recognizes it as a time reference.

The 12-h standard format is a far more convenient way to show time, even in Google Sheets. So, now you know how to ensure that you have the proper formatting settings when working on your spreadsheet.

Do you use military time or standard AM/PM time? Let us know in the comments section below.