Time Tracking in Numbers

Hello

If you enter the formula =NOW() in a cell, it will be updated when the table will recalculate.

So, every cells containing =NOW() will display the same value.

If you are using an Intel Inside Mac under Leopard, you may try do record a set of actions with Automator:

click in the begin cell containing =NOW()
start the record process
copy to clipboard
menu Paste value
stop the record process

next time click on the cell containing the =NOW() formula (for the end ot your job or for the begin of an other one) then exec the saved workflow.

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE mercredi 5 décembre 2007 12:26:03)

I have had absolutely horrible experiences trying to record from automator. nothing worked at all. The mouse just moved all over the screen, locking everything up.

All I tried to do was get automator to start numbers and load a certain file. Nothing more. If anyone gets it to work correctly, please let me know what I was doing wrong.

Jason

Hi Jason

It seems that only MacIntels get correct behaviour

But I don't understand how you used the recorder feature available only with Leopard while your system is described as 10.4.10. 😉

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE mercredi 5 décembre 2007 19:27:40)

Brian,

There are many spreadsheet applications that beg for a time-stamp capability such as I believe you are seeking, so you aren't alone. The solution that I just came up with is the 'long way', but you might be happy with it.

I think it's a good idea to manually format that cells in your time stamp range the way you want your time stamp to look when you first set up the sheet rather than as you go.

I have one cell in my sheet containing the =NOW() function, conveniently located to copy from.

To use this time stamp kludge:

1. Select the cell containing =NOW().
2. Right-click (Ctrl-click) that cell and select Copy.
3. Select the destination cell into which you want to stamp the time.
4. Right-click (Ctrl-click) that cell and select Paste.

Now you have the formula where you need it and it should grab the current time from the system clock.

5. With the destination cell still highlighted, go to the command menu and select "Edit-Copy", and then "Edit-Paste Values".

The formula is now replaced with a date and time value that won't update the next time the sheet recalculates. Not as good as a single-click macro, but it only takes a few seconds.

Let me know how this works for you, and especially if you find a better way.

Jerry

Hi Jason

It seems that only MacIntels get correct behaviour.

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE mercredi 5 décembre 2007 19:27:40)

Oops, haven't updated that... thanks for the catch.
Jason