iconorama
Level 1 (5 points)
Desktops

Q: Numbers will not let me record time

Hello,

I've transferred my numbers data from an older iMac (Mid-2010/Mavericks) to a new one (late 2015/El Capitan). Besides the fact that I cannot use the wonderful version of iWork and am stuck with a version with an annoying interface, Numbers will not work correctly.

 

I have a table to keep track of the interactions I have with my online students. In one column, I record the time spent tutoring a particular student. Although Numbers transferred the old data to the new program, it will not let me type the time in. I can only copy and paste it. And since I am paid according to the time spent, this is a crucial column.

 

How can I fix that?

 

Thanks,

Kim

iMac, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 12:16 PM

by Barry,Apple recommended
Barry Barry
Level 7 (32,714 points)
iWork
A:

Hi Kim,

 

Going back to the example in your initial post:

 

You have the cells formatted to show only hours and minutes, and to separate the hours and minutes using a colon.

0 hours and 10 minutes displays as 0:10

 

But when you enter 0:10, Numbers accepts that entry as 0 minutes and 10 seconds, then displays that according to your chosen format, rounding to the nearest minute.

 

If you want to enter 10 minutes using the colon separator, you must enter the value as (hours,) minutes and seconds.

Enter 10:00 (10 minutes and 0 seconds), and, using your chosen format and units, it will display as 0:10.

 

For 1 hour, 11 minutes (and no seconds), enter 1:10:00

It will display as 1:10

 

Regards,

Barry

 

PS: While trying this, I had one cell that flipped from Duration to Automatic, and displayed the hours minutes and seconds.

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 3:33 AM

Close
iconorama

Q: Numbers will not let me record time

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Wayne Contello,

    Wayne Contello Wayne Contello Sep 20, 2016 12:30 PM in response to iconorama
    Level 6 (19,416 points)
    iWork
    Sep 20, 2016 12:30 PM in response to iconorama

    Kim,

     

    it's always easier to assist when we can see what you are seeing.  Use this link to help you post a screenshot.  It's safest to remove personal information from screenshots.  So duplicate the sheet and change names an remove personal information:

    How to Post a screenshot to the Apple Discussion Forums

     

    Also explaining what what happens when you type in a cell where you are trying to enter the time.

  • by iconorama,

    iconorama iconorama Sep 20, 2016 1:02 PM in response to Wayne Contello
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 20, 2016 1:02 PM in response to Wayne Contello

    Hello Wayne,

     

    This first image is of my typing the time in (as you'd expect to do).

    Screenshot 2016-09-19 16.49.01.png

    The second screen shot is of what happens when I advance to the next column. I get an entry, but it springs back to 0 hours 0 minutes.

    Screenshot 2016-09-19 16.49.09.png

    The third screen shot is of dragging the upper entry into the lower entry. I can copy and paste entries, I just can't add new time entries. The dates, the names, and the text entries are all ok.

    Screenshot 2016-09-19 16.49.17.png

     

    I hope the screen shots help explain the problem. Thanks.

     

    Regards

    Kim

  • by Wayne Contello,Apple recommended

    Wayne Contello Wayne Contello Sep 20, 2016 1:51 PM in response to iconorama
    Level 6 (19,416 points)
    iWork
    Sep 20, 2016 1:51 PM in response to iconorama

    Instead of using the colon format:

    hh:mm:ss  e.g. 1:21:03

     

    use the format

    "1h 21m 3s"

     

    if you just record to the nears minute, then "21m"

     

    also... post a screenshot while the offending cell is selected of the cell formatter:

    Screen Shot 2016-09-20 at 3.49.16 PM.png

     

     

    Since you are entering durations I suggest you use the duration format (duration  being the difference between two times):

    Screen Shot 2016-09-20 at 3.49.49 PM.png

     

    my preference is the style "0h 0m0s" because it allows (unambiguously) weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.

  • by t quinn,

    t quinn t quinn Sep 20, 2016 7:34 PM in response to iconorama
    Level 5 (5,063 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 20, 2016 7:34 PM in response to iconorama

    Hi Kim,

     

    Wayne is steering you right in suggesting the duration format for your column. 10m is easy to type and Numbers knows that you mean a duration. I also suspect that there is some formatting that is affecting how Numbers accepts your input. You might try selecting the unused cells of your column and deleting any (unseen) content and formatting the cells as duration.

     

    Once you have spent some time with Numbers 3 it is possible you will warm up to it. I find it easier to work with and files move between my mac and iPod seamlessly. I still have Numbers '09 in my dock but the last time I opened it was by mistake.

     

    quinn

  • by iconorama,

    iconorama iconorama Sep 21, 2016 6:58 AM in response to t quinn
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 21, 2016 6:58 AM in response to t quinn

    Thank you for both your replies. I really do prefer the colon style time, it is faster for me  to enter 0:05 using the extra numbers pad on my keyboard.

     

    I did try creating a new column to see why that style isn't working, and consequently created a new table document, but came to the conclusion that it just won't work at all. Although you have suggested a work around, it hasn't really solved the problem.

     

    I was considering removing the plist and trying again, maybe this is effecting it, but cannot locate it. Where would I find it?

     

    Thanks,

    Kim

     

    ps I avoided using any Numbers update as long as possible. Although the benefits of using it in the cloud are obvious, I rarely, if ever use the cloud for table calculations. I prefer the original version. It just feels better to me.

  • by Wayne Contello,

    Wayne Contello Wayne Contello Sep 21, 2016 8:01 AM in response to iconorama
    Level 6 (19,416 points)
    iWork
    Sep 21, 2016 8:01 AM in response to iconorama

    OK. 

  • by Barry,Apple recommended

    Barry Barry Sep 22, 2016 3:33 AM in response to iconorama
    Level 7 (32,714 points)
    iWork
    Sep 22, 2016 3:33 AM in response to iconorama

    Hi Kim,

     

    Going back to the example in your initial post:

     

    You have the cells formatted to show only hours and minutes, and to separate the hours and minutes using a colon.

    0 hours and 10 minutes displays as 0:10

     

    But when you enter 0:10, Numbers accepts that entry as 0 minutes and 10 seconds, then displays that according to your chosen format, rounding to the nearest minute.

     

    If you want to enter 10 minutes using the colon separator, you must enter the value as (hours,) minutes and seconds.

    Enter 10:00 (10 minutes and 0 seconds), and, using your chosen format and units, it will display as 0:10.

     

    For 1 hour, 11 minutes (and no seconds), enter 1:10:00

    It will display as 1:10

     

    Regards,

    Barry

     

    PS: While trying this, I had one cell that flipped from Duration to Automatic, and displayed the hours minutes and seconds.

  • by iconorama,

    iconorama iconorama Sep 22, 2016 3:34 AM in response to Barry
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 22, 2016 3:34 AM in response to Barry

    Hi Barry,

     

    Thank you for going through all that trouble for me.

     

    Regards

    Kim