MINUTE Excel Function

Excel MINUTE Function: Extracting Minutes from Time Values

The MINUTE function in Excel is a powerful tool for extracting the minute component from a given time value. It returns an integer between 0 and 59, representing the minute part of the time.

Syntax and Usage

Syntax: MINUTE(serial_number)

• serial_number: This is the time value from which you want to extract the minute. It can be a cell reference containing a time value, a time value entered directly, or a result of another function that returns a time value.

Examples

• =MINUTE("12:45:30") returns 45
• =MINUTE(A1) where A1 contains 08:20:15 returns 20

Practical Applications

1. Extracting Minutes from Timestamps:

   Use =MINUTE(A1) to get the minute part of a timestamp in cell A1.

2. Calculating Time Differences:

   Use =MINUTE(B1) - MINUTE(A1) to find the difference in minutes between two time values.

3. Conditional Formatting:

   Apply formatting to highlight cells where the minute part is within a specific range using a formula like =AND(MINUTE(A1) >= 30, MINUTE(A1) <= 45).

4. Data Grouping:

   Create a helper column with =MINUTE(A1) to group data by minute intervals for analysis.

Common Issues and Considerations

• Non-Time Values: Ensure the input is a valid time value to avoid errors.
• Time Formatting: The function may not work as expected if the time is not properly formatted.
• Time Zones: MINUTE does not account for time zones, which might be problematic in international datasets.

Compatibility

The MINUTE function is supported in all recent versions of Excel, including Excel 2007 and later, Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel for the Web, and Excel for Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.

By mastering the MINUTE function, you can enhance your data analysis capabilities, improve time management tasks, and create more detailed time-based reports in Excel.