Storing Time Data

In TMetric, users can store time data in different formats, either in minutes or in decimal hours, depending on their preferences. They can select the desired format using the Time format in reports & invoicesoption in the workspace general settings.

Let's consider an example to understand how data is stored in different formats.

For example, a time entry of 1 hour and 15 minutes will be stored as:

• Hours and minutes: 1 h 15 min
• Clock-like: 1:15 (since the format is HH:MM)
• Decimal hours: 1.25 (calculated by dividing minutes by 60, so 15 minutes equals 0.25 hours).

When using the Decimal hours format, pay attention to the Store data in minutes option:

• If it is disabled, time data will be stored in decimal hours;
• If it is enabled, time entries will be stored in minutes, regardless of the selected format.

Time Calculation with Store data in minutes

The Store data in minutes option affects the values you see in reports and invoices. To clearly see how this option works, let's consider the following example:

You have three time entries, each 20 minutes long. Then, in reports and invoices, you will see:

• 1 hour if the Store data in minutes option is enabled;
• 0.99 hours if it's disabled.

Why is that? With decimal hours, the data is stored in the same way it is displayed - using two decimal places:

• 20 minutes are rounded to 0.33 hours;
• 0.33h × 3 = 0.99h = 59 min 24 s

So, in this case, 36 seconds will be lost due to the rounding that occurs when converting minutes into decimal hours. Note that with equal probability, the total duration may increase for other values. For example, each 19-minute interval will add an extra 12 seconds to the total time (19 min ≈ 0.32h = 19 min 12 s).

With the Store data in minutes option enabled:

• 20-minute time entries will be summed up;
• 20 min × 3 = 1h

In this case, the UI will also display decimal hours, so it may appear as though the sum has been calculated incorrectly (0.33h × 3 ≠ 1h).

Which option to use will depend on you, your preferences, and further calculations. 

To completely avoid any issues with time calculations, you can use the Round time in reports option, e.g., to 15 minutes.