# Excel HOUR Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/excel/hour-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) The HOUR function extracts the hour from a time serial number in Excel, aiding in time analysis and calculations. ```excel =HOUR(serial_number) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the HOUR you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula Need more than a single HOUR formula? Try our free [AI for Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) — it reads your entire spreadsheet, answers questions in plain English, and builds charts and analysis in the same chat. ## Parameters **`serial_number`**:\ A valid Excel date and time value, or a reference to a cell containing such a value, from which the hour will be extracted. This can be a date-time value returned by a formula or a static date-time value. ## What is an HOUR Formula in Excel? The *HOUR* function in Excel is a simple yet effective tool that allows you to extract the hour from a given time value. It takes a time value as input and returns the hour component as a number between 0 (12:00 AM) and 23 (11:00 PM). In simpler terms, the HOUR function helps you isolate the hour part of a time, making it easier to analyze time-based data. ## A Practical Example Imagine you are tracking the time spent on various tasks throughout the day, and you have the following data in an Excel spreadsheet: ### Time Tracking Table: | Task | Start Time | | - | - | | Task A | 08:30 AM | | Task B | 01:15 PM | | Task C | 11:45 AM | | Task D | 03:00 PM | | Task E | 09:20 AM | You want to find out the hour at which each task started. ## HOUR Formula To extract the hour from the Start Time for Task A, you would use the HOUR formula as follows: ```excel =HOUR(B2) ``` ### Breakdown of the Formula: - **B2**: This is the cell that contains the time value from which you want to extract the hour. ## Result of the Formula When you apply the formula to the Start Time for Task A, it returns the hour component. The output would be: | Task A Start Hour | | - | | 8 | Here, the hour extracted from 08:30 AM is 8. ## Why Use HOUR? The HOUR function is particularly useful when you need to analyze time data, such as calculating the number of tasks completed during specific hours of the day or summarizing activities based on the time they occurred. It allows you to work with time data more effectively. ## Key Takeaways: - **HOUR**: Extracts the hour component from a given time value. - **Efficient Time Analysis**: Helps you isolate and analyze time data without complex calculations. - **Common Use Cases**: Ideal for time tracking, scheduling, and any scenario where you need to analyze data based on time. Understanding how to use the HOUR function can significantly enhance your time data analysis capabilities in Excel, enabling you to derive meaningful insights from your time-based datasets. Happy calculating! ## Example use case You have a table where Column A contains timestamps of when employees clocked in for their shifts. You can use the HOUR function to extract the hour from each timestamp in order to analyze peak working hours. This allows for better workforce management and scheduling decisions, ensuring that adequate staff is present during the busiest times without the need for complex time analysis tools. **Beyond the HOUR function:** Better Analyst is a full [Excel AI](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that goes well past individual formulas. Upload any spreadsheet and ask questions in plain English — you'll get formulas, data analysis, and charts back in seconds. It's a free [AI Excel assistant](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that works with any .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file — no plugins, no Microsoft 365 required. Don't have a spreadsheet yet? 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[Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Excel how-to guides - [How To Sort In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-sort-in-excel) - [How To Split Cells In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-split-cells-in-excel) - [How To Strikethrough In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-strikethrough-in-excel) - [How To Subtract In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-subtract-in-excel) - [How To Transpose Data In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-transpose-data-in-excel) - [How To Unhide Columns In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-unhide-all-columns-in-excel) - [How To Unhide Rows In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-unhide-all-rows-in-excel) - [How To Unprotect Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-unprotect-excel) ## Explore all Excel formulas Browse our complete library of Excel formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. 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