Auto Calc data to set Time format

[Corey-Troy]

I have a layout with a required field for a job time.

However some users enter the time as 1600, or 400pm, or others as 4:00pm all variations for the same 4:00pm time.

Is there a Auto Calculation i can use to always modify the enter value to a standard format such as 4:00 PM?

Would the field have to be set to Text, Number or Time to do so also?

[LaRetta]

Use a time field which requires proper format. Do not let Users be so lax that they can enter 1600. With actual time field, they can enter military time or include the am/pm and it will work properly; for example, they can enter 16 or 4 PM or 4pm and it will format properly but if they type 1600 it will become 1600:00 and if they want to enter minutes, they will need the colon (or whatever system format the computer uses). For display, format the field however you wish (at the layout level).

If you do not use time field, you are opening yourself up for major problems because 1) you will be setting a pattern that 'the computer will fix everything for you even when you are sloppy' and 2) you simply cannot protect properly from all errors like a true time field can.

If you allow them to be sloppy and fix it, the next thing they will ask is to enter dates without dashes or slashes and expect you to read their minds and fix the data. There is a certain accountability which must be maintained during data-entry and, believe me, I believe in making things as easy as possible for Users, but there is limit. :wink2:

Edited October 22, 2010 by Guest
corrected several typos - up 36 hours, sorry.