DURATION_FORMAT

Converts a time duration in minutes to a readable format (e.g., 1 hr 30 min)

Formula definition

=IF(base_unit = "days",
  IF(INT(duration/365) > 0, INT(duration/365) & " yr ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 365)/30.44) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 365)/30.44) & " mo ", "") &
  IF(ROUND(MOD(duration, 30.44), 0) > 0, ROUND(MOD(duration, 30.44), 0) & " d ", ""),
  
  IF(base_unit = "hours",
  IF(INT(duration/8760) > 0, INT(duration/8760) & " yr ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 8760)/730) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 8760)/730) & " mo ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 730)/24) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 730)/24) & " d ", "") &
  IF(MOD(duration, 24) > 0, MOD(duration, 24) & " hr ", ""),
  
  IF(base_unit = "minutes",
  IF(INT(duration/525600) > 0, INT(duration/525600) & " yr ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 525600)/43800) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 525600)/43800) & " mo ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 43800)/1440) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 43800)/1440) & " d ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 1440)/60) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 1440)/60) & " hr ", "") &
  IF(MOD(duration, 60) > 0, MOD(duration, 60) & " min ", ""),
  
  IF(base_unit = "seconds",
  IF(INT(duration/31536000) > 0, INT(duration/31536000) & " yr ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 31536000)/2628000) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 31536000)/2628000) & " mo ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 2628000)/86400) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 2628000)/86400) & " d ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 86400)/3600) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 86400)/3600) & " hr ", "") &
  IF(INT(MOD(duration, 3600)/60) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 3600)/60) & " min ", "") &
  IF(MOD(duration, 60) > 0, MOD(duration, 60) & " sec", "")
  ))))

Function Details

This function provides a granular breakdown of time for activities or projects. This detailed time format is especially useful in environments like project management, long-term planning, and reporting, where understanding the duration across different scales is essential. The inputs need to be in minutes. For example, if A1 contains 2,000,000 minutes, the function =DURATION_FORMAT(A1) would output something like 3 yr 9 mo 20 d 21 hr 20 min, offering a comprehensive view of the time duration. This enables precise and understandable time statements that can help in evaluating time durations.

Function name: DURATION_FORMAT

Function description: Converts a time duration in minutes to a readable format (e.g., 1 hr 30 min)

Argument placeholders: duration, base_unit

Formula definition: =IF(base_unit = "days", IF(INT(duration/365) > 0, INT(duration/365) & " yr ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 365)/30.44) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 365)/30.44) & " mo ", "") & IF(ROUND(MOD(duration, 30.44), 0) > 0, ROUND(MOD(duration, 30.44), 0) & " d ", ""), IF(base_unit = "hours", IF(INT(duration/8760) > 0, INT(duration/8760) & " yr ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 8760)/730) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 8760)/730) & " mo ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 730)/24) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 730)/24) & " d ", "") & IF(MOD(duration, 24) > 0, MOD(duration, 24) & " hr ", ""), IF(base_unit = "minutes", IF(INT(duration/525600) > 0, INT(duration/525600) & " yr ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 525600)/43800) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 525600)/43800) & " mo ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 43800)/1440) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 43800)/1440) & " d ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 1440)/60) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 1440)/60) & " hr ", "") & IF(MOD(duration, 60) > 0, MOD(duration, 60) & " min ", ""), IF(base_unit = "seconds", IF(INT(duration/31536000) > 0, INT(duration/31536000) & " yr ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 31536000)/2628000) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 31536000)/2628000) & " mo ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 2628000)/86400) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 2628000)/86400) & " d ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 86400)/3600) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 86400)/3600) & " hr ", "") & IF(INT(MOD(duration, 3600)/60) > 0, INT(MOD(duration, 3600)/60) & " min ", "") & IF(MOD(duration, 60) > 0, MOD(duration, 60) & " sec", "") ))))

Argument description (duration): The total duration according to the selected base unit

Argument example (duration): 90

Argument description (base_unit): What the base units of the duration are. Either "seconds", "minutes", "hours", or "days" to define the base unit of the input duration

Argument example (base_unit): "minutes"

What is a Named Function in Google Sheets?

Named functions enable the creation of custom, reusable formulas that mimic built-in functions, streamlining calculations and data manipulations. These functions simplify complex formulas, making spreadsheets more readable and less prone to errors. By encapsulating intricate logic within a single function call, they enhance consistency across your data. Utilizing named functions reduces the need to write lengthy formulas repeatedly, thereby improving workflow efficiency and productivity in data analysis and management.

How to Add This Function to Google Sheets (Easy Download & Import)

Follow these simple steps to download and import the function into your spreadsheet. This method is the quickest and easiest way to add the named function to your Google Sheets document, but will not include the argument description and examples:

Download the Formula: Click on the download button at the top of this page to download a file with the formula.
Open Google Sheets: Open your Google Sheets document, from the top menu select Data > Named functions. Click Import function.
Import the function: Select Upload and select the file you downloaded with the function. Click Import all or select which function(s) to import and click Import.

Once added, the function will be ready to use in your document like any other built-in function. Simply type the function name and provide the required inputs to use it in your calculations.

How to Add This Function to Google Sheets (Manual)

Follow these simple steps to integrate the function into your spreadsheet:

Open Google Sheets: Open your Google Sheets document, from the top menu select Data > Named functions. Click Add new function.
Copy the Formula: For each input copy and paste the information from above.
- Copy the name of the function to the Function name input.
- Copy the description of the function to the Function description input.
- Copy each placeholder one at a time into the Argument placeholders input, if there are any placeholdes.
- Copy the formula of the function to the Formula definition input.
Click Next.
Add additional details: Optionally you can add a description and example for the placeholders.
Save the function: Click Create to add the function to your document.

Once added, the function will be ready to use in your document like any other built-in function. Simply type the function name and provide the required inputs to use it in your calculations.