Q: "How do I calculate how long it took to create a record?"

A: Cool question. Follow the three steps below to create a field called Time Elapsed: "New" Until "Save" (sec) that computes how many seconds elapse from the moment I click "New" until the moment I click "Save". This field tracks Call Duration (click "New" when answering the phone; click "Save" after completing the call).

1. Create this custom formula field.
   

   Step 1)	Type	Formula
   Step 2)	Name	Days Since 1/1/1900: Created Date
   Step 2)	Return Type	Number
   Step 2)	Decimal Places	13
   Step 3)	Formula	DATEVALUE(CreatedDate) - DATE(1900, 1, 1) +  VALUE(MID(TEXT(CreatedDate), 12, 2)) / 24 + VALUE(MID(TEXT(CreatedDate), 15, 2)) / 24 / 60 + VALUE(MID(TEXT(CreatedDate), 18, 2)) / 24 / 60 / 60
   Step 4)	Visible to	All Users
   Step 5)	Add to Page Layouts	None

   
   
2. Create this custom number field.
   

   Step 1)	Type	Number
   Step 2)	Name	Days Since 1/1/1900: New Record
   Step 2)	Integer Digits	5
   Step 2)	Decimal Places	13
   Step 2)	Default Value	TODAY() - DATE(1900, 1, 1) +  VALUE(MID(TEXT(NOW()), 12, 2)) / 24 + VALUE(MID(TEXT(NOW()), 15, 2)) / 24 / 60 + VALUE(MID(TEXT(NOW()), 18, 2)) / 24 / 60 / 60
   Step 3)	Visible to	All Users
   Step 3)	Read-Only for*	No One
   Step 4)	Add to Page Layouts*	Add to whatever Page Layouts you wish

   
   
3. Create this custom formula field.
   

   Step 1)	Type	Formula
   Step 2)	Name	Time Elapsed: "New" Until "Save" (sec)
   Step 2)	Return Type	Number
   Step 2)	Decimal Places	0
   Step 3)	Formula	(Days_Since_1_1_1900_Created_Date__c -  Days_Since_1_1_1900_New_Record__c) * 24 * 60 * 60
   Step 4)	Visible to	All Users
   Step 5)	Add to Page Layouts	Add to the same Page Layouts specified for the "Days Since 1/1/1900: New Record" field above

• This logic will only work for records created after these fields are created.
• These fields could help determine whether changing the UI helps users enter data faster.
• The logic in these formulas should work correctly until about October 16, 2173. Feel free to write me an angry email if the formulas break after that.

Don't forget to wish your mother a happy Mother's Day! Thanks to Jason Lawrence for the question!

* Tweaked these settings after salesforce.com's Manu Erwin noticed a flaw in the logic. Still trying to figure out a slicker solution (suggestions welcome!)