You might try this:

Since XL *needs* the colon to recognize entries as time, use "Auto Correct"
to help in entering the colon with keystrokes from the num keypad.

<Tools> <AutoCorrect>

And enter 2 periods (dots - decimals) [ .. ] to be replaced with a colon [

Now, users can stick with using the num keypad to enter XL recognizable
times.

8..00

or

15..30

As for the "Data Validation issue:

Say your first start time is in S1.

Click in T1, then <Data> <Validation>

Under "Allow, click on "Custom", and enter this formula:

=T1>S1

Then <OK>

Click in T1 and drag down the empty cell to copy the validation as needed.

Hello Peo

Thanks for your reply.
I was just hoping that entering 8 would be accepted as 8:00 - lazy I know by
the users would like this! If that's not possible I (they) can live with it.
The harder problem is setting the constraint for 'end time' to be > 'start
time' - for the whole column. Can this be done?

Thanks again
Les

Les,

You could use code to shift it for you on entry

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Const WS_RANGE As String = "H5"     '<=== change to suit

   On Error GoTo ws_exit
   Application.EnableEvents = False

   If Not Intersect(Target, Me.Range(WS_RANGE)) Is Nothing Then
       With Target
           If IsNumeric(.Value) Then
               If .Value >= 0 And .Value <= 240000 Then
                   Select Case Len(.Value)
                       Case 1:
                           .Value = TimeSerial(.Value, 0, 0)
                       Case 3:
                           .Value = TimeSerial(.Value \ 100, _
                                               (.Value \ 100) * 100, 0)
                       Case 5, 6:
                           .Value = TimeSerial(.Value \ 10000, _
                                               (.Value - (.Value \ 10000) *
10000) \ 100, _
                                               (.Value - (.Value \ 100) *
100))
                   End Select
               End If
           End If
       End With
   End If

ws_exit:
   Application.EnableEvents = True

End Sub

With this code you enter the input as

h
hh
hmm
hhmm
hmmdd
hhmmdd

that is you myust always use two digit minutes and secs, but you can hyave 1
or digit hours.

Hi Bob,

My main point was that Les shouldn't be intimidated.
I'll explain the process to him one step at a time, beginner
to beginner, how I got it to work. I'll use Chip's code
as that is the one I know. Feel free to correct me on any
point and also offer comment as to which is the better
way to go.

Les,

Copy the second set of code on Chip's site from End Sub
back up to Private Sub Worksheet....... (there is an extraneous
. just above the code, don't include that, typo I presume)

Open a fresh worksheet
Right click on the Sheet tab and select View Code
This opens the VBA editor.

A smaller window inside the editor will have two pulldown
boxes at the top of it showing (General) and (Declarations)
Change the first to Worksheet and the second to Change.

When you change these some starter code will be added to the
box below.
Delete this code and then right click and paste Chips code.
Close the VBA editor by clicking on the X in the top right corner.

Select cells A1:A10 and format them as custom h:mm

Now enter 100 in A1, 245 in A2 etc. you will see it working.

To change the range have a look at the code where it says
If Application.Intersect(Target, Range("A1:A10"))
change the range to something different and see how it
affects your worksheet.

Bob's code maybe more efficient, I'm sure he will let us know
on that score, but hopefully that will show you that there
is nothing to be intimidated by when *applying* VBA.
Of course *writing* the code is a different story and shouldn't
be attempted unless you intend to go the whole way and get a
full understanding of why and how everything works (sounds like
a lifetime study to me. <g>)

HTH
Martin