How Airtable "Thinks About" Time ⌚

An Introduction to Time Management in Airtable

In today's digital, internationally connected world, managing time is a crucial aspect of efficiently running a business, particularly when dealing with remote teams scattered across various time zones. This blog aims to help you maximize the utility of Airtable, a robust tool that brilliantly handles time management, and deepen your understanding of its relevant features.

Understanding the Time Concept in Airtable

Handling time zones masterfully, Airtable automatically calculates dates and offers remarkable features that aid in seamless global collaboration. This blog will delve into the various aspects of how Airtable treats time, providing invaluable tips for teams working across different time zones.

How to Handle Time in Airtable

The first noteworthy component is the date/time field, primarily a date field that can be transformed effectively into a multi-purpose tool by merely toggling the ‘timezone’ and ‘time’ features on or off. With the 'time' feature switched off, the software still calculates time as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

For users requiring display of the time, as well as dates, you have the option to choose your preferred format such as 12 or 24-hour time. It also allows you to configure settings such that everyone in your team works in a common time zone, which is particularly relevant for organizing events following a specific local time.

Conversely, if your team members are located in various time zones, by simply setting 'display timezone' on, it will show the time in each user's local timezone based on their browser settings. The platform is intuitive enough to understand and adapt to your current location.

How to Adjust Browser Settings

At times, you might want to simulate being in a different timezone despite your actual location. To do this, open up your browser setting, navigate to 'sensors', and choose 'my location' to set your desired location override. Subsequently, the base shifts to the chosen location rather than the current one. For instance, when planning a pending trip or to accommodate all members of your team operating in different time zones.

Airtable's Duration Field

The other essential Airtable feature we'll highlight in this blog is the 'Duration' field. This field enables you to track time in a wide variety of formats, from just hours to hours, minutes, seconds, and even fractional seconds. Airtable views all of these durations in terms of seconds in its backend. By adopting smart formulas, express the output in terms of realistic time by dividing the backend number by 60 twice, which will help you manage your time more efficiently.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering time management in Airtable can be a game-changer for your organization, particularly when managing remote teams across various countries. As long as you're aware of these features and how to utilize them, effective international collaboration becomes less daunting and more streamlined.

We are here to lend a hand if you're feeling stuck or struggling to implement these features. Please feel free to reach out for professional consulting services. Our mission is to help you maximize the value of your no-code tools, and Airtable is at the forefront of these.