POPUP STOPWATCH for Microsoft Excel

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This utility is a COM add-in or add-in (.xla) programmed in Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Application (VBA) that generates a popup stopwatch in Microsoft Excel®.

It has only one file, the ExcelStopwatch.dll, of about 396 kb that can be installed automatically. Except for the dll, no another setting is save in the Microsoft Windows® Register and yes in ExcelStopwatch.ini, ExcelStopwatchHotKey.xla, and ExcelStopwatch.xlam files that are created and maintained by the proper utility. The uninstallation also can be made automatic and completely not leaving any dirt in your Windows Register or disc.

Following items in this page:

Features

Download

Pictures

VBA fStopwatch() Function

VBA fGetVersion() Function

Examples of Using the Stopwatch New

Features:

- Stopwatch

- Countdown (Timer)

- When the countdown expires, it can beep, play a WAV file, run a Windows program and/or alert the expiration

- Can speak (pronounce) in robot voice, announcing second by second the last n seconds of a countdown

- When the countdown expires, it can yet: (1) immediately restarts the same countdown in infinite loop, or (2) simultaneously presses Reset and Start button of the stopwatch to start counting from zero, or (3) simultaneously presses the Start or Restart button to start or restart counting from the current time on the display. These last two options make possible that, when a countdown expires, one or several instances with attached buttons simultaneously start or restart their counts. For example, in a contest with starting shot, you open an instance for each competitor with Start buttons attached, and, in the one of the instances, you set a countdown to generate the starting shot and automatically starts its stopwatch and the stopwatches of all others competitors at the same instant (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Allows multiple instances within a single instance of Excel with independent buttons, settings, counting, and results. In practice quantities, there is no limit to the number of simultaneous instances, and there is no degradation in the count accuracy or display update

- Start, Stop, Restart, StopIns, and Reset buttons of same category in all instances or in only some of them running independently can be attached to be triggered simultaneously with a single click

- Buttons of same category attached according to the previous item are distinguished by * in their captions

- Start or Restart buttons in all instances or in only some of them running independently can be attached to Stop buttons of different categories to be triggered simultaneously with a single click. Makes it possible that, when starting or restarting an instance, stop all other ones with buttons thus attached (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Buttons of different categories attached according to the previous item are distinguished by º in their captions (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Start or Restart buttons in all instances or in only some of them running independently can be attached to StopIns buttons of different categories to be triggered simultaneously with a single click. Makes it possible that, when starting or restarting an instance, stop and insert in the sheet the time in the display in all other ones with buttons thus attached (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- Buttons of different categories attached according to the previous item are distinguished by ª in their captions (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- No matter how many instances are opened, the events on all attached buttons happen at the same instant of the click, without more or less milliseconds between instances. You can verify this by turning on the print on the paper ribbon or on a split in sheet (Improved in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- The feature of multiple instances can be disabled

- Split time reports (Snapshots) directly in Excel sheets, one new sheet for each popup in the same workbook created during each execution or when saved and closed one

- If, when pressing Split button and Excel cell cursor is over an old split report, you will be prompted to resume it. Or, if the active cell is blank and there is a sufficient blank cell range in front (> 25x8) for a report, you will also be prompted to start a new report right there, from the active cell. If there are no reasons for prompts or if you deny them, follows that described in the previous item, immediately creating a new default sheet for the split time report (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Reports of split time with labels (Label Snapshots), allowing set up of as many as 10 snapshot buttons in the interface with different labels, background and front colors, and sounds. Labels and colors set up in an interface button are also duly registered in the split sheet cells

- Five display modes

- Display background and front colors can be changed by the user

- The display can be adjusted to any size through an interface button or through the borders

- The panel of buttons can be adjusted to any size through an interface button

- All settings of an instance can be saved in a file on the disc and named by the user to be opened in another parallel or future instance

- The last opened setting or the last closed instance setting will be used as default in the next new instance

- Decimals used for the precision of a millionth of a second

- Can capture and insert into the active cell

- Can capture either positive or negative time in cells. The positives are prepared to be increased by the stopwatch enabling the Restart button and the negatives are prepared for the countdown

- Positive time in cells can be numeric or formatted text, numeric according to Excel definitions to represent dates and times by decimal numbers, or formatted text inserted normally into cells with text format or preceded by a quotation mark in cells without text format. Examples: 5:10.25 or '5:10.25 (Five minutes, ten seconds and twenty-five hundredths of a second), 10 or '10 (Ten seconds)

- Negative time in cells can only be in the formatted text, because Excel does not represent a negative time through a negative decimal number. Therefore, negative time should always be inserted as formatted text between brackets or preceded by a quotation mark and a negative sign. Examples: (5:10.25) or '-5:10.25 (Five minutes, ten seconds and twenty-five hundredths of a second) , (10) or '-10 (Ten seconds). See also the examples in 1 - Time Roast Chicken Recipe and 4 - Time Countdown to Auction Ending at the end of this homepage

- The behavior of popup can be set via menu to: Reset the display (Not capture the active cell), Start the stopwatch, Split time in active worksheet or in the background, and Popup in the last saved position

The behavior of the StopIns button can be set via menu to: (1) Stop, Insert and Close (Red), (2) Stop, Insert, and Reset (Brown), (3) Stop, Insert, Reset, and Start (Olive), (4) Stop and Inset (Orange), (5) Insert only (Blank), or (6) Disable. Options from 1 to 4 makes it possible that a single click generates more than one action at the same instant, without more or less milliseconds (Improved in version 3.0 of 11/11/12 and in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- The StopIns button can also be set to insert the result into the current active cell or into the active cell when started. In this last case, the stopwatch instance is attached to the cell where it originated and the cell address appears in the stopwatch title

- The behavior of the Reset button can be set via menu to: (1) Reset only, (2) Reset and Start, (3) Insert, Reset, and Start, or (4) Disable. Options 2 and 3 makes it possible that a single click generates more than one event at the same instant, without more or less milliseconds (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Pops up in small size

- Pops up close to the mouse cursor or optionally at the last saved position

- Can auto-popup when selecting cells with time formats or cells specifically defined to auto-popup

- Auto-popups can happen simultaneously in different cells, although no more than one in each cell

- An instance created in a cell auto-popup is tied to the same cell as the standard

- Can be set up with independent sound from WAV files for each of the following buttons: Start, Stop, Restart, StopIns, Snapshot, and Reset, including yet one for each of the 10 Label Snapshots

- All sounds, including the digital paper ribbon one, may be temporarily disabled

- Can print time and setting on a digital paper ribbon in each event

- Can capture back to the display times and settings registered on digital paper ribbon

- Can send some or all lines on the digital paper ribbon to the printer

- Can copy the time on display to Windows Clipboard

- Can paste on display existent the time on Windows Clipboard

- Can be called by the mouse right button (Context menu), or by a button in the Excel Standard toolbar (2007, 2010, or 2013 Ribbon Add-ins tab), or by a keyboard shortcut key set by the proper user (hotkey) (Improved in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Accepts the following hotkeys that make it possible to count time only using the keyboard:

- Popup Stopwatch: Any hotkey defined by user
- Start/Stop/Restart button: Enter or Space
- Stop/Insert button: I
- Reset button: R or Backspace
- Paste from Windows Clipboard: Ctrl + V or V
- Copy to Windows Clipboard: Ctrl + C or C
- Select cell on the Excel: All Excel standard navigate keys. This make possible you select any cell on the Excel to insert a count (Snapshot) on the flight, select directly from the stopwatch without activating the Excel window (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- The skin can be set up in: color and background picture, display and buttons transparency, hiding title bar, and action of a button when clicking on display

- Can unanchored its window from Excel window, making it possible that it is visible even if Excel window is minimized (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Can make its window is always on top in Windows (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Can autohide the panel of buttons leaving visible only the count display. When approaching the mouse pointer, a tiny button appears to, if you click, unhide the panel that will be autohidden again when mouse go away (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Can anchor in the cell that was active in Excel when it started and so always follows the cell displacement on the screen, upper-left corner with upper-left corner, inclusive disappearing and reappearing if the cell disappear and reappear on screen (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- Can position itself in-cell where it is anchored adjusting its width and/or its height to cell when the title and panel of buttons are hidden (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- The Default button in skin settings form allows you to view or restore all skin default settings (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

- All instances running can be closed with a single click by selecting the Close All command in the menu

- Each of the buttons Stop, Restart, Countdown (CntDown), Split/Snapshot, Copy, Paste and Display Panel (dp) in the interface can be disabled when not useful, preventing them from being unduly pressed (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- Excel cell can functions as another stopwatch button, similar to the StopIns button, where the act of selecting the cell functions as to trigger, but conditions can be set so that the triggering happens. So, only trigger when selecting cells: (1) With Time Format, (2) With Empty Content, (3) In Active Sheet when Started, (4) In Active Row when Started, or (5) In Active Column when Started. The trigger behavior can also be set to: (1) Stop, Insert, and Close the stopwatch, (2) Stop, Insert, and Reset, (3) Stop, Insert, Reset, and Start, (4) Stop and Inset, or (5) Insert only. And it can also be set to insert the result: (6) In Current Active Cell or (7) In Active Cell When Started. All these options are in the main menu, in "Excel Cell as Button" new sub menu (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- Excel cell can functions as stopwatch display where the contents or count on the display echoes in the contents or value of the active cell when started with the following setting options: (1) Echo Only on Time Format Cells and/or (2 ) Autohide Stopwatch When Mouse Move Away. These options are in the main menu, in "Excel Cell as Display" new sub menu (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- If set for multiple instances and to anchor in the active cell when started, when selecting multiple cells and acting Stopwatch command, you can create an instance in each one of all selected cells at once (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- Occupies less than 420 Kb when installed

- Can be called also directly from any VBA code thru the fStopwatch() and fGetVersion() functions. See, soon below the pictures for detailed descriptions of these functions and examples of VBA applications that use them.

Download:

Tested in Excel 2000, 2002(XP), 2003, 2007, 2010 (32-bit), 2013 (32-bit), 2016 (32-bit), and 2019 (32-bit) in MSI-based and Click-To-Run installations of Office 365™ cloud-based services.

Download the English version here
You also can download from this mirror site
Last update: 12/23/2023 - 877.3kb
Freeware based in this License Agreement

Note: The above link downloads the installer and uninstaller package programmed in VBA in a XLS duly converted to EXE by the XLtoEXE to make fully easy the installation by macro and Windows laymen, but, if you're expert and due some reason prefer an installer and uninstaller package in open ZIP, clique here. With this zip package you can install of three ways: (1) Simply act the Install.exe that loads the same XLS in Excel without macro alert; (2) Extract the all package to a folder and act the XLS enabling the macros in Excel and using 123 as password, or (3) Install the DLL manually.

Pictures:

VBA fStopwatch() Function:

The stopwatch can be called too directly from any VBA code thru the fStopwatch() function that has these 27 optional arguments:

1 - InitialElapsed (Date/Time, Default=0)

2 - ResetAtPupUp (Boolean, Default=True)

3 - StartAtPupUp (String, Default=””) If at any position in the string there is:

"1" - Start the stopwatch or countdown at the popup
"2" - Attach the Start button to others instances ones with the same setting
"3" - Idem for the Stop button
"4" - Idem for the Restart button
"5" - Idem for the StopIns button
"6" - Idem for the Reset button
"7" - Attach the Start button to the Stop buttons of others instances (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)
"8" - Attach the Restart button to the Stop buttons of others instances (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)
"9" - Attach the Start button to the StopIns buttons of others instances (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)
"A" - Attach the Restart button to the StopIns buttons of others instances (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

4 - DisplaySize (Long 20 to 500, Default=0 to use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile)

5 - DisplayMode (Long 0 to 4, Default=0 to use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile.)

6 - DecimalPlaces (Long 0 to 3, Default=-1 to use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile.)

7 - CountDown (Boolean, Default=False)

8 - PaperRibbon (Boolean, Default=False)

9 - Split (Boolean, Default=False. If True, start splitting time in a sheet)

10 - SplitSheet (String, Default="" to create a new time split sheet)

11 - SplitWorkbook (String, Default="" to use the active or to create a new, if SplitSheet="")

12 - SplitStartCellRef (String, Default="A1")

13 - ActivateSplitSheet (Boolean, Default=True)

14 - LeftPos (String, Default="0")

15 - TopPos (String, Default="0"). Where LeftPos and TopPos are the distances in points (1/72 inches) from the center of the Start button to the current mouse position. If the values are preceded by $ (dollar sign), LeftPos and TopPos turn to be the distances from left top corner of the stopwatch to the left top fix corner of the screen. And yet, if there is only the $ without number, will be used the current default position or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

16 - ShareSplitSheet (Boolean, Default=False to not allow that the split sheet is used simultaneously by other instance)

17 - WaitAndRetValue (Long 0 to 2, Default=0). Where:

0 - Not return value, not asynchronous, and modeless
1 - Return value, asynchronous, and modeless
2 - Return value, asynchronous, and modal

18 - CtrlPanelSize (Long 3 to 50, Default=0 to use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile)

19 - StopInsMode (String, Default=””). Define the setting to StopIns button behavior with all the options present in the stopwatch menu, StopIns Button Behavior submenu. It is a string composed of 11 substrings separated by ; in the format “n1;n2;n3;n4” where: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17).

- n1 is one of the following options to the action or actions when acting StopIns button:

0 or Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Stop, Insert and Close the stopwatch
2 - Stop, Insert, and Reset
3 - Stop, Insert, Reset, and Start
4 - Stop and Inset
5 - Insert only and
6 - Disable

- n2 is one of the following options to the cell to insert:

0 or Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Insert in Current Active Cell or
2 - Insert in Active Cell When Started

- n3 is one of the following options to in Having Contents in the Cell to insert:

0 or Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Insert Overwriting
2 - Not Insert
3 - Move Down and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell
4 - Move Right and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell
5 - Move Up and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell or
6 - Move Left and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell

- n4 is one of the following options to Insert Also Date and Time:

0 or Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Not Insert
2 - Insert As Comment in the Same Cell
3 - Insert in the Right Cell
4 - Insert in the Left Cell
5 - Insert in the Below Cell or
6 - Insert in the Above Cell

20 - SnapshotSetting (String, Default=””). Define the setting to the ‘Label Snapshot’ buttons with all the options present in the stopwatch interface when dividing time in an Excel sheet. It is a string composed of 11 substrings separated by ; in the format "S0,S1,S2,S3,S4,S5,S6,S7,S8,S9,S10" where: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17. In previous versions, it was named SnapshotNumb, a number still compatible that defined only the number of ‘Label Snapshot’ buttons to show.)

- S0 is a string also composed of four substrings, but now separated by | in the format "n1|s1|n2" where:

- n1 is a number indicating the number of ‘Label Snapshot’ buttons to show in the interface
- s1 is a default text for user note to insert in the next snapshot, if configured via n2 below, and
- n2 is the number 0 or 1. If 1, defines that the user note already typed will be inserted in the next snapshot and, if 0, in the last happened snapshot as you type.

- S1 is a string also composed of four substrings, but now separated by | in the format "n1|s1|n2" where:

- s1 is the label for the Snapshot 1 button to be inserted in the split sheet
- n1 is an integer number (RGB) indicating a background color of the label in the interface and in the cell of the split sheet where the label is inserted
- n2 is an integer number (RGB) indicating a font color of the label in the interface and in the cell of the split sheet where the label is inserted
- s2 is the path and name of the WAV file on the disk to be played when clicking the Snapshot 1 button.

- S2 up to S10 are similar to S1 string above for Snapshot 2 up to 10 buttons.

Note: If a string or substring is set empty, it will be used the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile.

21 - SavedSettingFile (String, Default= "" to use the current default setting¹. Due to the quantity and difficult to set some features like colors, fonts, sounds, skin options etc., would not be practical to use arguments to attend all the possible features. The most practical is to open the stopwatch, set any all desired option, and use the 'Save Setting As ...’ command on the menu to save the setting to a file. After inform the file name and its full path thru this argument)

22 - ResetMode (Long 0 to 4, Default=0). Define the setting to Reset button, as: (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

0 - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile;
1 - Only Reset
2 - Reset and Start
3 - Insert, Reset, and Start
4 - Disable

23 - OtherButtsMode (Long 0 to 127, Default=0). Define the setting to other buttons, as: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

0 - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Disable Stop button
2 - Disable Restart button
4 - Disable Countdown (CntDown) button
8 - Disable Split/Snapshot button
16 - Disable Copy button
32 - Disable Paste button
64 - Disable Show Panel (sp) button
To setting up more than one of the options, simply add their numbers.

24 - CellAsButTriggSlc (Long 0 to 2047, Default=0). Define the setting to Excel cell functions as a stopwatch button when selecting it, as: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

0 - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Trigger when selecting cells (Enable)
2 - Trigger only in cells with time format
4 - Trigger only in cells with empty contents
8 - Trigger only in cells in active sheet when started
16 - Trigger only in cells in active row when started
32 - Trigger only in cells In active column when started
64 - When triggering Stop, Insert, and Close the stopwatch
128 - When triggering Stop and Insert the stopwatch
256 - When triggering Insert only
512 - When triggering insert the result in current active cell or
1024 - When triggering insert the result in active cell when started
To setting up more than one of the options, simply add their numbers.

25 - EchoDisplayInCell (Long 0 to 7, Default=0). Define the setting to Excel cell functions as display of the stopwatch, as: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

0 - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
1 - Echo stopwatch display count in the value of the active cell when started (Enable)
2 - Echo only on time format cells and
4 - Autohide stopwatch when mouse move away
To setting up more than one of the options, simply add their numbers.

26 - SkinSetting (String, Default=””). Define the setting to the stopwatch face with all the options present in the form showed by ‘Skin Settings…” command present in the stopwatch menu. It is a string composed of 8 substrings separated by ; in the format “n1;n2;n3;s1;n4;n5;n6;n7” where: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- n1 is an integer number result of the sum of the following options:

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - None of the options below
1 - Hide title bar
2 - Autohide panel of buttons
4 - Anchor in active cell when started
8 - Adjust skin height to anchored cell
16 - Adjust skin width to anchored cell
32 - Unanchored from Excel Window
64 - Always On Top
128 - Enable background
To setting up more than one of the options, simply add their numbers.

- n2 is one of the following options to Clicking on display act:

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - None Button
1 - Start/Stop Button
2 - StopIns Button
3 - Split/Snapshot Button
4 - Reset Button

- n3 is an integer number (RGB) indicating a color to background

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

- s1 is the path and name of a file on the disk with a picture to background

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

- n4 is one of the following options to Alignment of the picture background:

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - Top left
1 - Top right
2 - Center
3 - Bottom left
4 - Bottom right

- n5 is one of the following options to Adjust size mode of the picture background:

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - Clip, if larger
1 - Stretch to fit, if smaller
2 - Zoom without clip or stretch

- n6 is one of the following options to Tiling small picture background:
Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - False
1 - True

- n7 is an integer number result of the sum of the following options for the transparency of objects in the interface:

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - None transparent object
1 - Display
2 - Panel of buttons
4 - Label snapshots
8 - Paper ribbon

27 - CountdownSetting (String, Default=””). Define the setting for an event or events at countdown expiration with all the options present in the form showed by 'CntDown' button present in the stopwatch interface. It is a string composed of 6 substrings separated by ; in the format “n1;n2;s1;s2;s3;n3” where: (New in version 4.0 of 07/25/17)

- n1 is an integer number result of the sum of the following options:

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile
0 - None of the options below
1 - Beep a number of times according with n2 below
2 - Play a WAV file defined in s1 below
4 - Run an executable file in the Windows defined in s2 below
8 - Emit a text alert defined in s3 below
16 - Restart the countdown in endless loop
32 - Close the stopwatch
64 - Run stopwatch from zero pressing Reset and Start buttons (Tip! In multiple instances, attach Reset and Start buttons to start several at once from zero when countdown expires.)
128 - Run Stopwatch from current time in the display pressing Restart button (Tip! In multiple instances, attach Start and Restart buttons to start or restart several at once when countdown expires.)
256 - Speak the last seconds of the countdown according with n3 below.

- n2 is an integer number indicating the number of beeps that should be emitted

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

- s1 is the path and name of the WAV file on the disk that should be played

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

- s2 is the path and name of the executable file in the Windows on the disk that should be run

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

- s3 is the text of the alert that should be emitted

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

- n3 is an integer number indicating the last seconds of the countdown that should be spoke

Empty - Use the current default setting¹ or one saved in the file specified by the argument 21, SavedSettingFile

¹Understand "current default setting" how the last setting set and saved by an instance generated by the Excel interface user because an instance generated by this function does not change the current default setting despite allowing changes normally via interface at runtime. (New in version 3.0 of 11/11/12)

Examples:

1 - The code below calls the ExcelStopwatch with all default arguments, if its current version is duly installed.

Sub YourSub1()
    Dim fRet
    Dim ObjToVBA As Object    'See Note below
    Set ObjToVBA = Application.COMAddIns("AddInXlStopwatch.ExcelDesigner").Object
    fRet = ObjToVBA.fStopwatch
End Sub

2 - The code below calls the ExcelStopwatch with all default arguments, except the 3 (To start at popup and attach Start buttons), the 9 (To start splitting), the 10 (To split on the Sheet3 of the active workbook), and the 12 (To start splitting on cell G10).

Sub YourSub2()
    Dim fRet
    Dim ObjToVBA As Object    'See Note below
    Set ObjToVBA = Application.COMAddIns("AddInXlStopwatch.ExcelDesigner").Object
    fRet = ObjToVBA.fStopwatch(0, , “12”, , , , , , True, "Plan3", , "G10")
End Sub

Note: Replace 'As Object' by 'As StopwatchObjToVBA', if you prefer Early Binding method, but you have to use Tools/References... menu and add "Excel Stopwatch © 2003-08 by Francisco Orlando Magalhães Filho" reference. This method makes easy to view the names and positions of function arguments.

The fStopwatch() function can give the following returns:

fRet = False (Cancelled by the user)
fRet = Elapsed time in the Excel date and time system (StopIns button pressed and using value 2 or 1 on WaitAndRetValue argument)
fRet = ""Error 1"" (Failure: Sheet to split not found)
fRet = ""Error 2"" (Failure: Split start cell reference invalid)
fRet = ""Error 3"" (Failure: An active split started in the same cell already exists, if the value of the ShareSplitSheet argument is False)
fRet = "" Error 4 "" (Failure: When opening the setting file indicated by SavedSettingFile argument)

VBA fGetVersion() Function:

This function makes possible to get information about the installed stopwatch from any VBA code. It supports these three optional arguments:

1 - Return installed stopwatch version number on 0.0.0 format (Default)

2 - Return the number of stopwatch instances currently running and

3 - Close all stopwatch instances currently running.

Examples of Using the Stopwatch:

Let’s look at some practical examples of using the stopwatch with or without Excel sheet and with or without VBA code using basic configurations for specific applications that you can serve as templates to improve or adapt to other types of applications or disputes.

1 - Timing a Roast Chicken Recipe

1.1 - Using only the Stopwatch

1.2 - Using the Stopwatch and Formatted Sheet (Method 1)

1.3 - Using the Stopwatch and Formatted Sheet (Method 2)

2 - Timing an Athletics Race

2.1 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 1)

2.2 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 2)

2.3 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 1)

2.4 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 2)

3 - Timing a Motocross Race

3.1 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 1)

3.2 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 2)

3.3 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet

3.4 - Using the Stopwatch, Formatted Sheet, and VBA (Method 1)

3.5 - Using the Stopwatch, Formatted Sheet, and VBA (Method 2)

4 - Timing an Auction Countdown

4.1 - Using only the Stopwatch

4.2 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet

4.3 - Using the Stopwatch, Formatted Sheet, and VBA

5 - Time an Individual Technical Support

5.1 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 1)

5.2 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 2)

5.3 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 1)

5.4 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 2)

1 - Timing a Roast Chicken Recipe

In preparing of a chicken recipe there is need of five time countdowns. Let's look at three methods of how users can make these counts, simply and immediately by using only the stopwatch such as a pocket instrument and more carefully by using the stopwatch and formatted sheet.

1.1 - Using only the Stopwatch

This method using only the stopwatch to time roasted chicken recipe is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on a blank cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

4 - In stopwatch interface activate its main menu by clicking the red M button or clicking with the right mouse button on the display and activate the command 'Restore Default Settings' (When setting manually is recommended start from the default setting to avoid inadequate options)

5 - On stopwatch interface, click on CntDown button. On ‘Countdown for Excel’ form displayed, enter the time in the Hour, Minute, Seconds, and Fraction fields for the first countdown, set events when it expires, and then press the Start button

6 - Expired the first countdown, repeat the previous step for each of the other counts necessary to complete recipe preparation

1.2 - Using the Stopwatch and Formatted Sheet (Method 1)

This first method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time roast chicken recipe is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Activate countdown mode when capturing negative time in Excel cell with time format

- Negative time in cell with time format only can be inserted as formatted text, because Excel does not represent a negative time through a negative decimal number. Therefore, negative time should always be inserted as formatted text between brackets or preceded by a quotation mark and a negative sign. Examples: (5:10.25) or '-5:10.25 (Five minutes, ten seconds and twenty-five hundredths of a second) , (10) or '-10 (Ten seconds)

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - Right-click on a blank cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Behavior at Popup submenu > Capture Active Cell at Popup command

6 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, close the stopwatch, right-click on a time cell to the first countdown and select Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

7 - On ‘Countdown for Excel’ form displayed, you can define events when expiring and then press Start button

8 - Expired the first countdown, repeat steps 6 and 7 for each of the other counts necessary to complete recipe preparation

Tip!

- After setting these and other options that you want of the dozens available on the stopwatch, use the 'Save Setting As...’ command on the menu, so in the next execution, to restore all these options set now, just use the ‘Open Setting...' command, avoiding the work of setting up again in the future

1.3 - Using the Stopwatch and Formatted Sheet (Method 2)

This second method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time roast chicken recipe is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Activate countdown mode when capturing negative time in Excel cell with time format

- Be just an improvement on the previous method, while the previous uses a minimum stopwatch configuration, but that requires more than one click to start the countdown, this uses an optimized configuration with some more options that make it possible start the countdown just selecting the cell with the time to capture

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - Right-click on a black cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Behavior at Popup submenu > Capture Active Cell at Popup command

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Behavior at Popup submenu > Start at Popup command

7 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Start Points in Excel submenu > AutoPopup Selecting Cells submenu > Popup in Time Format Cells command

8 - On stopwatch interface, click on CntDown button, inform the desired event or events when a countdown expire, inclusive the ‘Speak the last 10 seconds in robot voice’ option, and press ‘Save Setting’ button

9 - The necessary and optimized configuration is ready, now, close the stopwatch and simply select a time cell to negative time be captured and the countdown start automatically

Tip!

2 - Timing an Athletics Race

An athletics race involves basically three phases: the start, the course, and the arrival. The start is simultaneous, typically signaled with a starting gun. You should time the route of each athlete until his/her arrival, positioning better those athletes with the lower time counts. Let's look at four methods of how users can make these counts, simply and immediately by using only the stopwatch such as a pocket instrument and more carefully by using the stopwatch and formatted sheet.

2.1 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 1)

This first method using only the stopwatch to time athletics race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use a different instance of the stopwatch for each athlete

- The Start buttons of all instances are attached between them to start simultaneously when clicking one of them at the instant of the starting gun

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on a blank cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Start Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - To create instance for each of the other athlete, right-click other blank cells in the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

7 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, upon hearing the starting gun, click on the Start button of one of the instance and when each athlete reaches the finish point, click on the Stop button of his/her respective instance getting his/her time in the display

Tip!

- Instead of pressing the Stop button, press the ParInsFec button to get the time, insert it into the cell where the instance was started and close the instance, so you keep the count in a cell of the sheet that can be saved

2.2 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 2)

This second method using only the stopwatch to time athletics race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use a different instance of the stopwatch for up to ten athletes

- The Start buttons of all instances are attached between them to start simultaneously when clicking one of them at the instant of the starting gun

- Compared to the previous method, it is more compact because it uses an instance of the stopwatch for up to ten athletes, and more precise in the marking, because it automatically split the time into a sheet with more information where any mistakes of snapshots (undue clicks) can be subsequently fixed

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on A1 cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Start Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - Activate the Split button on the stopwatch interface and Ok on the displayed alert

7 - In the stopwatch interface click on Snapshot Label/Colors spin to display up to ten Snapshot buttons, one for each athlete. As labels inform the names of the athletes and, if desired, define color and sound for each athlete. For more than ten athletes, create new instances of the stopwatch as needed just by repeating the step 3 and the step 6 above

8 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, upon hearing the starting gun, click on the Start button of one of the instance and when each athlete reaches the finish point, click on the Snapshot button with his/her name to insert his/her time in the sheet

Tip!

2.3 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 1)

This first method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time athletics race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use the feature of Excel Cell as Button, triggered when selecting cell

- Use a single instance of the stopwatch for all athletes no matter how many are

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - Right-click on a black cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Excel Cell as Button submenu > Enable command

6 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, upon hearing the starting gun, click on the Start button and when each athlete reaches the finish point, select his/her respective cell in the Time column for the Stopwatch inserts immediate and automatically his/her time

Tip!

- The sheet is prepared for 10 athletes, if you need rows for more athletes, select the three cells of the last row (Athlete 10), then hover the mouse over the lower-right corner of last selected cell so the Excel cell fill handle appears, click and drag it to down until all of the cells you want to fill are selected

2.4 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 2)

This second method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time athletics race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use an exclusive instance of the stopwatch for each of the athlete

-.Have the sheet same as or similar to the previous template and a more complex stopwatch configuration, perhaps even unnecessary for this type of dispute or of timing, but possibly useful for other types

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - Right-click on a black cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert in Active Cell When Started command

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Start Buttons in Other Instances command

7 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Reset Button Behavior submenu > Disable command

8 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Other Buttons Behavior submenu > Disable All command

9 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Skin Settings... command and select the options: ‘Autohide panel of buttons’, ‘Anchor in active cell when started’, ‘Adjust height’, and ‘StopIns Button’ option in ‘Clicking on display act:’ combobox and finally activate OK button

10 - The necessary configuration is ready, now close the stopwatch, select the cells in the Time column of all athletes, click with the right mouse button on one of the selected cells and activate Stopwatch command in the displayed context menu. In the alert, click Ok and, upon hearing the starting gun, click on the Start button in one of the stopwatches and all will start at once. When each athlete reaches the finish point, click on display of his/her stopwatch to immediate and automatically insert his/her time, stop, and close his/her stopwatch

Tip!

- You can also set to hide the stopwatch interface of each athlete while echoes the display content in the respective cell of the Time column. To configure, activate stopwatch main menu again > Excel Cell as Display submenu > Echo Display in Active Cell When Started command. Each cell will echo the display of the respective stopwatch and the interface of this will auto-show when approaching the mouse of the cell ready for immediate actions

- If you need to close all stopwatches for a new start, click on main menu of one of stopwatches and activate 'Close All Open Instances' command or hold down the Shift key of your keyboard while closing one of the stopwatches with the mouse

3 - Timing a Motocross Race

A motocross race involves basically three phases: the start, the course and the arrival. The course is usually a short circular track where the pilots have to take multiple laps, and the total distance of the course is determined by the number of complete laps that the fastest pilot can reach in a given time (e.g., 20min) plus two more complete laps. The start is simultaneous, typically signaled when the starting gates fall. Each lap of each pilot has to be timed until his/her arrival while completing the last lap, positioning better those pilots with more laps and lower total time counts. On a second classification form, positioning better those pilots with laps with smaller counts, faster laps. Let's look at five methods of how users can make these counts simply and immediately by using only the stopwatch such as a pocket instrument; more carefully by using the stopwatch and formatted sheet with chart; and in the most advanced way by using the stopwatch, formatted sheet, and VBA (i.e.,VBA application).

3.1 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 1)

This first method using only the stopwatch to time motocross race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use a different instance of the stopwatch for each pilot

- The Start buttons of all instances are attached between them to start simultaneously when clicking one of them at the instant of the starting gates fall

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on A1 cell (Column A) of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert command

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert in Active Cell When Started command

7 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Having Contents in the Cell submenu > Move Down and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell command

8 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Start Buttons in Other Instances command

9 - To create instance for each of the other pilot, right-click on B1 cell (Column B) of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu and so on for other pilots in columns C, D, E ...;

10 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, upon falling the starting gates, click on the Start button of one of the instance and when each pilot reaches the finish point by completing one lap, click the StopIns button of his/her respective instance to insert the lap time in the first empty cell of his/her column in the sheet. The result in the sheet will be a table where the columns will have the times per pilot and the rows per lap, for example, column A will have all the times of the first pilot and row 1 will have all the times of the first lap of each pilot

Tip!

- To facilitate the marking, set the clicking on display to function as clicking on the StopIns button. In the stopwatch of each pilot, activate its menu > Skin Settings... command and select ‘StopIns Button’ option in ‘Clicking on display act:’ combobox > OK button

3.2 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 2)

This second method using only the stopwatch to time motocross race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use a different instance of the stopwatch for up to ten athletes

- The Start buttons of all instances are attached between them to start simultaneously when clicking one of them at the instant of the starting gates fall

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on A1 cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Start Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - Activate the Split button on the stopwatch interface and Ok on the displayed alert to use the active sheet

7 - In the stopwatch interface click on Snapshot Label/Colors spin to display up to ten Snapshot buttons, one for each pilot. As labels inform the names of the pilots and, if desired, define color and sound for each pilot. For more than ten pilots, create new instances of the stopwatch as needed just by repeating the step 3 and the step 6 above

8 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, upon falling the starting gates, click on the Start button of one of the instance and when each pilot reaches the finish point by completing one lap, click on the Snapshot button with his/her name to insert his/her time in the sheet

Tip!

3.3 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet

This method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time motocross race is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use the feature of Excel Cell as Button, triggered when selecting cell

- Do not use split sheet, the registration of snapshots is done directly on the report sheet when selecting cell. This single sheet for data collection and for report has the same formatting of the report sheets of the following methods that require VBA and stopwatch split sheets for data collection

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - In the open sheet, rename existing sheets as number and name of the pilot, a sheet for each pilot. If there is more pilots, just copy and rename sheets in sufficient numbers

4 - Right-click on a black cell of any sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - In stopwatch interface activate its main menu by clicking the red M button or clicking with the right mouse button on the display and activate the command 'Restore Default Settings' (When setting manually is recommended start from the default setting to avoid inadequate options)

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Excel Cell as Button submenu > Enable command

7 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, upon falling the starting gates, click on the Start button and when each pilot reaches the finish point, select his/her respective sheet and the cell in the Time column for the Stopwatch inserts immediate and automatically his/her time at each lap

Tip!

- You still can set to autohide the panel of buttons for the stopwatch to stay more discreet and operate more safely, like this: activate stopwatch main menu > Skin Settings... command and select ‘Autohide panel of buttons’ option and activate OK button

3.4 - Using the Stopwatch, Formatted Sheet, and VBA (Method 1)

This first method using the stopwatch, formatted sheet and VBA (VBA application) to time motocross race is characterized by:

- Use VBA code to call the stopwatch thru the fStopwatch() function

- Set stopwatch options automatically via arguments of the fStopwatch() function

- Use the feature of multiple instances of the stopwatch, an instance for each pilot

- Use a split sheet for each pilot, i.e. the registration of snapshots of pilots is done in separate sheets making possible non-simultaneous starting as in training before race

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted and coded in VBA for this method and open it in Excel with macros enabled

3 - In the open sheet, remove (-) or add (+) the pilots that you want in the “Pilots:” field

4 - Upon falling the starting gates, click on the Start button in one of the stopwatches and all will start at once. When each pilot reaches the finish point, click on the display set as Snapshot button of his/her stopwatch to immediate and automatically insert his/her snapshot of each lap in the respective split sheet

Tip!

- This method, even using VBA, still allows you to make the configuration you want via the menu

- A configuration via menu can be done once to serve for all pilots in future executions using this method. After setting up, use the 'Save Setting As...’ command on the menu and save in the file with Motocross2SavedSetting.ini name in the same folder of the file of this template. You can view in the VBA code that the argument 21, SavedSettingFile, of the fStopwatch () function is set to read the configuration in this file that supports all options available in the stopwatch menu

3.5 - Using the Stopwatch, Formatted Sheet, and VBA (Method 2)

This second method using the stopwatch, formatted sheet and VBA (VBA application) to time motocross race is characterized by:

- Use VBA code to call the stopwatch thru the fStopwatch() function

- Set stopwatch options automatically via arguments of the fStopwatch() function

- Use the feature of Label Snapshots of the stopwatch where each instance can time up to ten pilots distinguished by color, fonts, and sounds

- Be more compact than the previous template because it uses only one instance of the stopwatch for ten pilots, making it easier to mark and more precise

- Use a single split sheet, i.e. the registration of snapshots of all pilots is done in a single sheet, which facilitates the generation of reports, but does not making possible non-simultaneous starting as in training before race

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted and coded in VBA for this method and open it in Excel with macros enabled

3 - In the open sheet, enter the desired amount of pilots in the “Number of Pilots:” field and click on the Start button.

4 - Upon falling the starting gates, click on the Start button in one of the instance created automatically and, when each pilot reaches the finish point, click on his/her Snapshot button to the stopwatch inserts immediate and automatically in split sheet his/her time (snapshot) at each lap

Tip!

- Optionally, in step 3 above, before you press the Start button, activate PilotIds sheet in the same workbook and, in Ids table of the pilots, enter their numbers and names. The suggested background and font colors for Label Snapshot button of each Pilot can be changed by changing the background and font colors of the respective cell in Back&ForeColors column. A custom sound for each pilot can be set by informing the name and path of a WAV file saved on the disk in the respective cell in WavSoundFile column

4 - Timing an Auction Countdown

Some types of auctions have a bidding period with a start date and time and an ending date and time for receiving proposals. In such auctions, participants need to know instantly how much time remains until bidding ends, that is, a countdown to a time and date in the future. Let's look at three methods of how users can make these counts simply and immediately by using only the stopwatch such as a pocket instrument; more carefully by using the stopwatch and formatted sheet; and in the most advanced way by using the stopwatch, formatted sheet, and VBA (i.e.,VBA application).

4.1 - Using only the Stopwatch

This method using only the stopwatch to time countdown to auction ending is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Use a different instance of the stopwatch for each object or each ending date and time

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on a blank cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - On stopwatch interface, click on CntDown button. On ‘Countdown for Excel’ form displayed, select “Countdown to a future date/time at:“ option, enter, soon below, the date and time for the ending of the proposals, set events when they expire, and then press the Start button to start the countdown to the date and time entered happen

4.2 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet

This method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time countdown to auction ending is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Calculations of the countdowns are made by formulas in the sheet

- Use the feature of Excel Cell as display to update the formulas in the sheet periodically as accurately as you set on the display

- Use a single stopwatch instance for all countdowns no matter how many they are, because, when the stopwatch echoes display contents in a cell, all formulas in the sheet are recalculated. Also, if the cell for the echo is protected or has formula, the echo is not made by impossibility or to preserve the formula, but it is recalculated and consequently all the other formulas in the sheet

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - In the formatted table in the open sheet enter the name, price, and ending date and time of proposals (Bidding End) for each auction object (Tip! Only for test purposes, just enter the date and time now in your watch for object 1. Dates and times of testing will be automatically suggested by formulas for the other objects.)

4 - Right-click on a A1 cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Excel Cell as Display submenu > Echo Display in Active Cell When Started command

7 - The necessary configuration is ready, now press the Start button of the Stopwatch and all the countdown formulas in the sheet are updated periodically according to the accuracy set in the stopwatch display that appears and disappears when you approximate or move the mouse cursor away from the A1 cell that is the echo cell, but has a formula whose periodic update suggests a propeller in motion. An aesthetic artifice to indicate that the calculation of countdowns is active

Tip!

- If a countdown is a few hours or minutes to expire and you want to customize your expiration with event of sound, alert and/or speaking the last few seconds, then after step 6 and before step 7 above continue the configuration with the following plus steps:

7 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Behavior at Popup submenu > Capture Active Cell at Popup command

8 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Behavior at Popup submenu > Start at Popup command

9 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Start Points in Excel submenu > AutoPopup Selecting Cells submenu > Popup in Time Format Cells command

10 - On stopwatch interface, click on CntDown button, inform the desired event or events when a countdown expire, inclusive the ‘Speak the last 10 seconds in robot voice’ option, and press ‘Save Setting’ button

11 - The necessary configuration is ready, now press the Start button of the Stopwatch and all the countdown formulas in the sheet are updated periodically in the same way as the previous configuration, but now by simply selecting a cell in the Countdown column, an instance of the stopwatch is automatically created capturing and continuing the selected countdown until it expires with the events you have defined

- The sheet is prepared for 10 objects, if you need rows for more objects, unprotect the sheet, select the four cells of the last row (Object 10), then hover the mouse over the lower-right corner of last selected cell so the Excel cell fill handle appears, click and drag it to down until all of the cells you want to fill are selected

4.3 - Using the Stopwatch, Formatted Sheet, and VBA

This method using the stopwatch, formatted sheet, and VBA (VBA application) to time countdown to auction ending is characterized by:

- Use VBA code to call the stopwatch thru the fStopwatch() function

- Set stopwatch options automatically via arguments of the fStopwatch() function

- Calculations of the countdowns are made by formulas in the sheet, but in each one is created an instance of the stopwatch to accompany in parallel and emit beeps, WAV sound, and alert upon expiring. Everything configured via VBA at the click of a button in the sheet

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted and coded in VBA for this method and open it in Excel with macros enabled

3 - In the formatted table in the open sheet enter the name, price, and ending date and time of proposals (Bidding End) for each auction object and click on Play/Stop Countdown button on the right side of the table (Tip! Only for test purposes, don’t enter anything and click immediately on Play/Stop Countdown button and on the alert click Ok for VBA to suggest dates and times of testing for all objects

4 - Okay, now just watch the countdowns and events in their expirations

Tip!

- If you want to prevent events from one of the countdowns happen, move your mouse closer to its cell, and when it auto-display your stopwatch instance, close it. To close all instances at once, hold the Shift key of your keyboard down when closing

5 - Timing an Individual Technical Support

In providing individual assistance, consulting or technical support, it is necessary time counting by supported. Let's look at four methods of how users can make these counts simply and immediately by using only the stopwatch such as a pocket instrument and more carefully by using the stopwatch and formatted sheet.

5.1 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 1)

This first method using only the stopwatch to time individual technical support is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on a blank cell of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Stop Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - To create instance for another supported, right-click other blank cell in the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu and so on for others supported

7 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, when starting the support for the first, click on the Start button of his/her stopwatch instance and, when starting the support of the next, click also the respective Start button, starting the counting of this supported and automatically stopping the count of the previous supported and thus, no matter how many instances are open, there will always be only one counting or none if the user presses the Stop button

Tip!

- When completing a support and before closing the referent stopwatch instance, save the total support time on the display in a sheet cell by selecting it and clicking on StpInsCls button on the stopwatch interface

- To facilitate the marking, set the clicking on display to function as clicking on the Start/Stop button, like this: activate stopwatch menu > Skin Settings... command and select ‘Start/Stop Button’ option in ‘Clicking on display act:’ combobox > OK button

5.2 - Using only the Stopwatch (Method 2)

This second method using only the stopwatch to time individual technical support is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch and neither formatted sheet, ideal for immediate use such as a pocket stopwatch

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Compared to the previous method it has the advantage of automatically registering all events using split time reports (Snapshots) directly in Excel sheets

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Open Excel with a blank sheet

3 - Right-click on A1 cell of the sheet1 and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to Stop Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Skin Settings... command and select ‘Anchor in active cell when started’ option and activate OK button

7 - Activate the Split button on the stopwatch interface and Ok on the displayed alert to use the active sheet

8 - To create instance for another supported, activate the Sheet2, right-click on A1 cell and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu and so on for others supported

9 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, when starting the support for the first, activate his/her sheet and click on the Start button of his/her stopwatch instance and, when starting the support of the next, activate his/her sheet and click also the respective Start button, starting the counting of this supported and automatically stopping the count of the previous supported and thus, no matter how many instances are open, there will always be only one counting or none if the user presses the Stop button

Tip!

5.3 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 1)

This first method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time individual technical support is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - Right-click on C2 cell (Room for Stopwatch 1) of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to StopIns Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Stop, Insert, and Reset (Brown) command

7 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert in Active Cell When Started command

8 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Having Contents in the Cell submenu > Move Down and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell command

10 - To create instance for the second supported, right-click on D2 cell (Room for Stopwatch 2) of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu and so on, column to column, for others supported

11 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, when starting the support for the first, activate his/her sheet and click on the Start button of his/her stopwatch instance and, when starting the support of the next, click also the respective Start button, starting the counting of this supported and automatically stopping the count of the previous supported, inserting in the sheet and resetting. Thus, no matter how many instances are open, there will always be only one counting or none if the user presses the Stop button or the StpInsRst button

Tip!

- To facilitate the marking, before step 10 above set the clicking on display to function as clicking on the Start/Stop button, like this: activate stopwatch menu > Skin Settings... command and select ‘Start/Stop Button’ option in ‘Clicking on display act:’ combobox and activate OK button

- If you want information about date and time of each taken time, you can set to insert as a comment in the same cell, like this: activate stopwatch main menu > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert Also Date and Time submenu > Insert As Comment in the Same Cell command

5.4 - Using the Stopwatch and a Formatted Sheet (Method 2)

This second method using the stopwatch and formatted sheet to time individual technical support is characterized by:

- Do not use VBA code to call the stopwatch, ideal if you have not mastered VBA, but have basic notions of sheet formatting in Excel

- Require that the stopwatch setting is done manually via menu commands

- Comparing with the formatted sheet of the previous method, the sheet here lists the supported by row and the sections by column where each section has two columns, one for the times taken and another for the dates and times when each time took place

Step by step instructions on how to use this method:

1 - Download and install the updated version of the stopwatch via the What's new Download link above on this page

2 - Download here a template sheet duly formatted for this method and open it in Excel

3 - Right-click on B4 cell (Room for Stopwatch 1) of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu

5 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Multiple Instances submenu > Attach Start to StopIns Buttons in Other Instances command

6 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Stop, Insert, and Reset (Brown) command

7 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert in Active Cell When Started command

8 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Having Contents in the Cell submenu > Move Right and Insert in Next Empty and Unprotected Cell command

9 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > StopIns Button Behavior submenu > Insert Also Date and Time submenu > Insert in the Right Cell command

10 - Activate stopwatch main menu again > Skin Settings... command and select the options: ‘Autohide panel of buttons’, ‘Anchor in active cell when started’, ‘Adjust height’, and finally activate OK button

11 - To create instance for the second supported, right-click on B5 cell (Room for Stopwatch 2) of the sheet and activate Stopwatch command from the displayed context menu and so on, row to row, for others supported

12 - The necessary configuration is ready, now, when starting the support for the first, activate his/her sheet and click on the Start button of his/her stopwatch instance and, when starting the support of the next, click also the respective Start button, starting the counting of this supported and automatically stopping the count of the previous supported, inserting in the sheet and resetting. Thus, no matter how many instances are open, there will always be only one counting or none if the user presses the Stop button or the StpInsRst button

Tip!

- To facilitate the marking, before step 11 above set the clicking on display to function as clicking on the Start/Stop button, like this: activate stopwatch menu > Skin Settings... command and select ‘Start/Stop Button’ option in ‘Clicking on display act:’ combobox and activate OK button

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