Countdown without VBA

[retrac]

Hi. Is there a formula that will countdown every 5 minutes, for example 4:59, 4:58 et. I can make a column listing five minute increments and reference those, but have not seen a more streamlined approach without using VBA. I am not sure how to apply VBA code into a certain cell, AQ7 for example. I need countdown for 15 minute and 30 minute as well. Thank you in advance for any direction.

 

[6StringJazzer]

4:59, 4:58 is not five minutes, it's 1 second. Can you describe more clearly what you want to happen in that cell every 5 minutes? Do you want to count down based on actual clock elapsed time? That is, it starts at 10, then 5 minutes later changes to 9, then 5 minutes later changes to 8? Or do you want to show the actual time in that cell, such as 1:00:00, 55:00, 50:00, updating every 5 minutes?

You can do something like this with formulas using the function NOW() but the problem is going to be that it won't automatically update as time passes. You will have to hit F9 to force a recalculation to update the time. That's why this kind of thing generally requires VBA.

What is the reason you do not want to use VBA?

 

[retrac]

Thanks. I do want a countdown to go by the second 4:59, 4:58, 4:57 etc to 0:00, and start over again at 5:00 minute. I can use the NOW() and TIME(0,0,0) and add or subtract from a list of times but am looking for a more simple approach, and if there was a formula or combo of formulas that would work.

I would use VBA and I have library in my workbook right now, but I do not know how to amend or add code. I actually plan to hire someone soon for a project, and just bought a book to learn.