How to make a real time clock in Excel? A Step by Step Guide

Excel is not just for spreadsheets it can also display dynamic elements like a real-time clock! In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a clock that updates automatically in Excel.

Step 1: Open a New Excel Worksheet

Step 2: Set Up the Layout

Decide where you want your clock to appear.
For a simple clock, you can dedicate a single cell (e.g., A3) to display the current time.

Step 3: Use the NOW() Function

In the chosen cell, enter the formula:

=NOW() This will display the current date and time

Step 4: Format the Cell to Show Only the Time

To display only the time:
1. Right-click on the cell with the formula.
2. Select Format Cells.
3. Choose the Custom category.
4. Enter the format hh:mm:ss AM/PM for a 12-hour clock or HH:mm:ss for a 24-hour clock.
5. Click OK.

Step 5: Enable Automatic Updates

You’ll need to enable VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) to create a real-time clock, VBA has been placed in the edeveloper tab.

Step 6: Enable Developer Tab

If the Developer tab is not visible:

Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
Choose the commands from popular commands to Main tabs (this option may vary with the different versions of excel)
Check the box for Developer under Main Tabs.
Click OK.

Step 7: Write a VBA Script for Real-Time Updates

Open the VBA editor:
Go to the Developer tab and click on Visual Basic, first option in top left side.

Create a new module:
- In the VBA editor, click Insert > Module.

Paste the following code:

Dim RunWhen As Double
Dim TimerInterval As Double

Sub StartClock()
TimerInterval = Now + TimeValue(“00:00:01″)
Application.OnTime EarliestTime:=TimerInterval, Procedure:=”ShowTime”, Schedule:=True
End Sub

Sub ShowTime()
Range(“A3”).Value = Format(Now, “hh:mm:ss AM/PM”)
StartClock
End Sub

Sub StopClock()
On Error Resume Next
Application.OnTime EarliestTime:=TimerInterval, Procedure:=”ShowTime”, Schedule:=False
End Sub

8.Close the VBA editor and save the workbook as a Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm).

After saving the document you can run the vb code using the macro option

Run the Macro:

Go to the Developer tab and click Macros in the Code group.
In the Macro dialog box:
1. Select the macro you want to run from the list.
2. Click Run.

The real-time clock in Excel will run automatically based on your computer time zone.

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