Date formulas

[Powellexcel]

I have a date in column A1 which is the start of a task.

In column B1 I have and option 2 phrases, stating whether the task is 'open' or 'closed', obviously there is only one of those phrases that goes into column B.

In column C I want to have the time that the task took to complete displayed in hours if the case is open in column B. If the case becomes closed in column B, then the time will stop to be whatever time that is was currently at, and for it to stop continuing the hours count.

I currently have this formula, can someone help develop this situation for me please
=IF(C139(SEARCH(Open,C139)), (NOW(B139*24), (Value if false)

 

[Powellexcel]

=IF(C139(SEARCH(Open,C139)), (NOW(B139*24)), CELL("contents", C4))

I've just thought I'd try the formula above, apparently contains and error though?

 

[Joe4]

A few things.

You are using the NOW() function incorrectly. It does not have any arguments (see: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/NOW-function-3337fd29-145a-4347-b2e6-20c904739c46).

What you want to do requires VBA. Native Excel formulas cannot give you want you want. If you search on "Excel VBA Timestamp", you will find many threads which will show you how to do something like this. Here are a few:
http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-questions/710270-timestamp-visual-basic-applications.html
http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-questions/793145-visual-basic-applications-time-stamp.html