Time Zones: Working with multiple different time zones in Airtable

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This Airtable base solves the problem of events taking place in different time zones, and users wanting to know what time those events are taking place in their own local time zone.

This base gives a properly-converted local time for any event — based on the event's original date, time, and time zone.

This base could also be adapted to solve the problem of managing ANY resources that involve multiple time zones: employees, tracking packages, project deadlines, etc.

There is an accompanying training video for this base, which is located here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9D4O4GmGfk

This solution is based on these 2 goals:

  1. Each event uses its own local time zone for the “official” date/time of its event, and this date/time must always appear consistently, no matter who logs into the system.
  2. The user logging into the system must be able to see BOTH the “official” date/time of the event (i.e. the date/time of the event in its own local time zone) AND be able to convert the date/time of the event into their own local time zone.

The sample base achieves both of the above goals, and you can also use this base as a starting-off point to solve additional time zone challenges that you might have.

Please note: Time Zone names MUST be pulled from the official list of accepted Time Zone names on Airtable's website, which is located here: https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/216141558-Supported-timezones-for-SET-TIMEZONE

Also note: In order for this solution to work, the 2 fields "Official Time of Event" and "Actual GMT Time of Event" must have their GMT option turned ON. The field "User's Local Time of Event" must have its GMT option turned OFF.

This base was created by ScottWorld. ScottWorld provides expert Airtable consultants, Airtable trainers, and Airtable developers. If you need additional Airtable help, visit ScottWorld at https://www.scottworld.com

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Updated April 12, 2021 at 4:47 PM
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ScottWorld

ScottWorld provides expert Airtable consulting, Airtable training, and Airtable development. If you need additional Airtable help, visit ScottWorld.com.
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