How to Map IDs and Generate 30-Second Time Intervals in WPS Office Spreadsheet
Question details
The user needs to replace temporary individual IDs with confirmed IDs through a mapping table and generate regular time values at 30-second intervals in a spreadsheet.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user manages a dataset that contains temporary individual IDs and needs a safe way to show confirmed IDs without destroying the original identifier, plus a consistent 30-second time sequence.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants a helper formula or column that displays the confirmed ID and a fillable or formula-based series of times every 30 seconds.
Create a separate mapping table with Temporary ID and Confirmed ID columns before writing any formulas. Use an Excel-compatible .xlsx workbook so INDEX/MATCH, LET, and TIME formulas remain portable between WPS Office and Microsoft Excel.
Map Temporary IDs to Confirmed IDs with a Helper Column and Mapping Table
Use this solution to display confirmed IDs while keeping the original temporary IDs intact for historical reference.
This method prevents data loss by never overwriting the source ID. The formula reads the mapping table, so changes to the mapping table immediately update the helper column.
In a new worksheet named Mapping, enter the header Temporary ID in column A and Confirmed ID in column B, then list each ID pair.
Return to the original table and add a column named Confirmed ID next to the temporary ID column.
In the first data cell of the helper column, enter =IFERROR(INDEX(Mapping!$B$2:$B$100,MATCH([@ID],Mapping!$A$2:$A$100,0)),"") and press Enter. If your table uses a different column header, replace @ID with the actual temporary ID header.
Generate a 30-Second Time Interval Series
Use this solution when you need regular time values such as 00:00:00, 00:00:30, 00:01:00, and so on.
Map IDs and create 30-second time intervals directly in WPS Office Spreadsheet
Use WPS Office Spreadsheet to safely map temporary IDs to confirmed IDs and generate 30-second time series with familiar Excel-compatible formulas.
- 1. Open your workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the .xlsx file containing the temporary ID table.
- 2. Create the mapping table: Add a sheet named Mapping with Temporary ID and Confirmed ID columns, then fill in the ID pairs.
- 3. Insert the lookup formula: In the original table, add a Confirmed ID helper column and enter =IFERROR(INDEX(Mapping!$B$2:$B$100,MATCH([@ID],Mapping!$A$2:$A$100,0)),"").
- 4. Generate the 30-second time series: Enter the first two time values, select both, and drag the fill handle down; or use =A2+TIME(0,0,30).
- 5. Save and share: Save the workbook. The formulas remain Excel-compatible when the file is opened in Microsoft Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I keep the original temporary ID instead of replacing it?
Keeping the original ID preserves the record history. If an individual is later reidentified or the mapping changes, you can update the mapping table and the helper column refreshes without losing past entries.
Which formula works if I do not have the LET function?
Use =IFERROR(INDEX(Mapping!$B$2:$B$100,MATCH([@ID],Mapping!$A$2:$A$100,0)),""). This works in most Excel-compatible versions, including WPS Office Spreadsheet.
Can I generate 30-second intervals without dragging the fill handle?
Yes. Enter a starting time in A2, then in A3 enter =A2+TIME(0,0,30) and fill down. The series updates automatically if the start time changes.
Does this mapping method support multiple dates?
Yes. Keep the original ID column as the source of truth and ensure the mapping table covers the IDs for each date. You can filter or sort by date without changing the underlying IDs.
Will WPS Office formulas work in Microsoft Excel?
Yes. Formulas such as INDEX, MATCH, IFERROR, LET, and TIME are Excel-compatible when the workbook is saved as .xlsx, so the file remains shareable across WPS Office and Microsoft Excel.
