Excel time compare

[matpj]

I am using MS Excel 2000
I have two columns: start date and end date (dd/mm/yy hh:mm:ss)

What I need to do is on all rows, compare the end date with the start date of the row below it.
I would then need something to appear or flag up if the end date is before the start date of the next row.

Does this capability exist within Excel? is there a compare function, and a criteria function to enable some text to be entered?

any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Hasit]

A "conditional format" function is available in Excel to allow you to achieve what you are trying to. You can use a number a of functions (such as DATE) to perform the comparison and change a cell to a specific colour if the result meets a defined criteria.

Let me know if you want some help to construct the formulas.

 

[psudeke]

If I understand you correctly, you can do it with an if statement. Lets say "a1" has your first start date and "b1" your first end date. In C1 put the formula =if(b1>a2,"Error","&quot and drag it down the column (Where "error" is what ever you want to use to flag a start date that occurs before the previous end date). Excel stores dates and times as serial numbers 1234.5664 which is the number of days from 1/1/1900. The decimal portion is the fraction of the day, which is the time. I hope this helps you out