FAQ: Configuring 12-Hour and 24-Hour Time Formats

Choosing the right time format is the first step toward data consistency. This FAQ explores how the Time Sheet Tool handles regional and industrial time standards.

Can I use both 12h and 24h formats on the same Smartsheet?

Yes. The format is defined at the Form Level, not the sheet level. You can have one form configured for 12h (AM/PM) for US-based staff and a second form configured for 24h for International staff or Military-grade operations. Both forms will write to the same Smartsheet, and you can even have the tool "Normalize" the results into a single standard format (like ISO 8601) in your final column mapping.

Which format is "Best Practice" for payroll?

From an SME perspective, 24-hour (Military) time is the superior choice for payroll backend processing as it eliminates the "AM/PM toggle error" entirely. However, for user comfort, 12-hour is often preferred in the US. The Time Sheet Tool provides the best of both worlds: a user-friendly 12h interface for data entry that automatically translates to 24h precision in your Smartsheet.

Does it handle timezone differences?

Our tool uses the timezone assigned to the user's device at the time of submission. This ensures that a "9:00 AM" check-in at a California branch is captured as such, regardless of where the Smartsheet owner is located. For cross-timezone roll-ups, we recommend using our serialization feature to also capture the "Submission Timestamp," which includes the GMT offset for total audit precision.