Forum Discussion
Creating a static time stamp in Excel online version
I have found this formula, wich should work:
=IF(B1<>"";IF(A1<>"";A1;NOW());"")
but as output it writes 00.01.1900 (I get the same result in Excel desktop version)
Is this a bug in the latest EXCEL version?
If I'm using the NOW() function alone, I get the timestamp of presumably Redmont, but I am based in Europe. Where can I set the timezone in my online version of excel?
Thanks
M.
Excel Online has no option to switch-on iterative calculations which are required for time stamp trick. VBA doesn't work on Excel Online and I'm not sure if Office Script could be triggered by cell value change.
Having circular reference Excel returns zero as result for such formulas. With applied date format for such cell it is correctly shown as Jan 00, 1900 (or 00.01.1900). No need to change regional setting for your OneDrive or SharePoint site (procedure is slightly different for them), if only for training purposes.
What could be done - add time stamp using iterative calculation technique in Excel Desktop. If open in Excel Online, after some confirmation, time stamp continue to work in Online version as well. I'm not sure how reliable such solution, will it work for different users, in co-authoring mode, after any file update, etc. If works that will be your risks.
11 Replies
Excel Online has no option to switch-on iterative calculations which are required for time stamp trick. VBA doesn't work on Excel Online and I'm not sure if Office Script could be triggered by cell value change.
Having circular reference Excel returns zero as result for such formulas. With applied date format for such cell it is correctly shown as Jan 00, 1900 (or 00.01.1900). No need to change regional setting for your OneDrive or SharePoint site (procedure is slightly different for them), if only for training purposes.
What could be done - add time stamp using iterative calculation technique in Excel Desktop. If open in Excel Online, after some confirmation, time stamp continue to work in Online version as well. I'm not sure how reliable such solution, will it work for different users, in co-authoring mode, after any file update, etc. If works that will be your risks.
thank you for your suggestion.
Creating the file first on desktop and then uploading it worked.
And I found a workaround for the Time difference as it is 9 hours which are 0,375 of a day I add that like this:
=IF(G8<>"",IF(E8="",NOW()+0,375,E8),"")
thanks again
Could you please explain how you got a static date/time stamp in excel online as I was trying to implement this in my organization?
I'm not an Office Online user, but after my researchers I found this information.
If it helps, I'll be happy, if not please just ignore it.Change language in Office 365 (Microsoft 365)
Open the Microsoft 365 website and log into your account.
Click on the gear symbol in the upper right so that the "Settings" open.
Select the "Language and time zone" category here.
Find the language you want and confirm with "Save".
Office 365 (Microsoft 365) is then displayed in the selected language.Thank you for your understanding and patience
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
- Thanks I will try this for the time zone settings
- Using NOW( ) will never solves the issue and it's not problem with Time format,,, if NOW( ) is used in the formula,, then every time when Excel recalculates the sheet you get recent Time,, since useruser wants STATIC Time !!
Check this link recently I've solved, will help you to get Static Time, works with all versions of Excel.
** If you find this works for you then please mark my post as Best Solution as well like.
- hi rajesh,
thank you for your reply!
your formula
=IF(G8<>"",IF(E8="",NOW(),E8),"")
does almost the same as mine, I tried this version also, but the result is still 00.01.1900.
that is my problem,
any ideas?
thanks- Read carefully INSTRUCTION I've written with my answer/post @Superuser (the Link) ,,, unfortunately you have skip the major part "How to get Static Date",,, or better share your WB and let me examine & fix it !
