Time Statement

Sets the system time.

Syntax

Time = time

Parts

• time: Required. Any numeric expression, string expression, or any combination that can represent a time.

Remarks

• System Time: The Time statement sets the computer's system time to the specified time value.
• Time Format: Accepts times in various formats including "HH:MM:SS", "HH:MM", or numeric values representing time.
• 24-Hour Format: You can use 24-hour format (e.g., "13:30" for 1:30 PM) or 12-hour format with AM/PM.
• Permissions: Changing the system time may require administrator privileges on some operating systems.
• String Expression: When using a string, it should be in a valid time format that VB6 can interpret.
• Numeric Expression: Numeric values represent the fractional portion of a day (e.g., 0.5 = noon).
• Current Date Preserved: Setting the time does not affect the system date.
• Time Function: Use the Time function (without assignment) to retrieve the current system time.
• Now Function: The Now function returns both date and time; Time$ returns only the time portion.
• Error Handling: Invalid time values will generate a run-time error.

Common Uses

• Time Synchronization: Set system time from network time server
• Testing: Set specific times for testing time-dependent code
• Kiosk Applications: Reset time for demo or kiosk systems
• Simulation: Simulate different times of day for testing
• Time Adjustment: Correct system time drift

Examples

Set Time to Specific Hour and Minute

Time = "14:30:00"  ' Set to 2:30 PM

Set Time Using String

Time = "9:15 AM"

Set Time to Midnight

Time = "00:00:00"

Set Time to Noon

Time = "12:00:00"

Set Time Using Variable

Dim newTime As String
newTime = "15:45:30"
Time = newTime

Set Time Using TimeValue Function

Time = TimeValue("3:30 PM")

Set Time Using Current Time Plus Offset

Time = Time + TimeValue("00:15:00")  ' Add 15 minutes

Set Time from User Input

Dim userTime As String
userTime = InputBox("Enter new time (HH:MM:SS):")
If IsDate(userTime) Then
Time = userTime
Else
MsgBox "Invalid time format"
End If

Set Time with Error Handling

On Error Resume Next
Time = "10:30:00"
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
MsgBox "Failed to set time: " & Err.Description
End If
On Error GoTo 0

Set Time Using Now Function

Time = Now  ' Sets time to current time (redundant but valid)

Set Time in Sub

Sub SetApplicationTime()
Time = "08:00:00"  ' Set to 8 AM
End Sub

Set Time Conditionally

If Hour(Time) > 17 Then
Time = "08:00:00"  ' Reset to morning
End If

Set Time Using TimeSerial

Time = TimeSerial(14, 30, 0)  ' 2:30 PM

Set Time with Concatenation

Dim hours As String
Dim minutes As String
hours = "09"
minutes = "45"
Time = hours & ":" & minutes & ":00"

Set Time for Testing

' Set specific time for testing time-dependent code
Time = "23:59:59"  ' One second before midnight
TestMidnightRollover

Set Time in Class Module

Private Sub Class_Initialize()
Time = "12:00:00"  ' Reset to noon on initialization
End Sub

Set Time Using Format

Dim timeStr As String
timeStr = Format(Now, "hh:mm:ss")
Time = timeStr

Set Time in Loop

For i = 0 To 23
Time = TimeSerial(i, 0, 0)
ProcessHourlyTask
Next i

Set Time with Validation

Function SetSystemTime(newTime As String) As Boolean
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler

If IsDate(newTime) Then
Time = newTime
SetSystemTime = True
Else
SetSystemTime = False
End If

Exit Function

ErrorHandler:
SetSystemTime = False
End Function

Important Notes

• Administrator Rights: Setting system time may require elevated permissions
• System Impact: Changing system time affects all applications and scheduled tasks
• Time Zones: Time is set in local time zone, not UTC
• Date Unchanged: Only the time portion is modified; the date remains unchanged
• Validation: Always validate user input before setting system time
• Error Handling: Use error handling as time setting can fail due to permissions
• Testing Only: In production, avoid changing system time; use application-level time variables instead
• Numeric Values: 0 = midnight, 0.5 = noon, 0.75 = 6 PM

Time Formats Accepted

• "HH:MM:SS" - Full time with seconds (e.g., "14:30:45")
• "HH:MM" - Hour and minute (e.g., "14:30")
• "HH:MM AM/PM" - 12-hour format (e.g., "2:30 PM")
• Numeric - Fractional day value (e.g., 0.5 for noon)
• TimeSerial(hour, minute, second) - Function result
• TimeValue(string) - Converted string

Common Errors

• Error 5: Invalid procedure call or argument - occurs with invalid time format
• Error 70: Permission denied - occurs without sufficient privileges
• Error 13: Type mismatch - occurs with incompatible data types

Best Practices

• Always use error handling when setting system time
• Validate time strings before assignment using IsDate()
• Use TimeSerial or TimeValue for programmatic time construction
• Consider using application-level time variables instead of changing system time
• Document why system time is being changed in production code
• Test time-setting code with various formats and edge cases
• Be aware of time zone and daylight saving time implications
• Consider user permissions and UAC on modern Windows systems

See Also

• Time function (retrieve current system time)
• Date statement (set system date)
• Now function (get current date and time)
• TimeSerial function (create time from components)
• TimeValue function (convert string to time)
• Hour, Minute, Second functions (extract time components)

References

• Time Statement - Microsoft Docs