Date delimiter changes - 2/2/99 becomes 212199

[SabaGuy]

Version: 2008 Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I open a worksheet with cells formatted for date, and tab to one of the date cells and all of the date cells change the '/' delimiter instantly. The '/' becomes a '1'. For instance 2/2/99 becomes 212199 across the entire worksheet. Plus, in the list of date format types, all the '/' are showing as '1'.

This only happens on my iMac. If I save and send the file to a PC user, the date format is normal.

This problem does not happen in a new user account on my iMac.

Any idea what could cause this problem?

 

[CyberTaz]

In your normal user account hold Shift while you launch Excel. If the
problem stops it suggests a damaged/corrupt preference file. Make sure Excel
is not running then go to: UserName/Library/Preferences. Rename or move:

com.microsoft.Excel.plist

Excel will generate a new one on launch. If the problem is resolved you can
delete the old .plist file.

If the Shift-Launch doesn't change the situation try logging in s that same
user while holding the shift key. If the problem goes away it suggest that
you have some sort of utility app (such as an antivirus app) launching on
login which is interfering with Excel's ability to update the preference
file. Trial & error will enable you to determine which one is the culprit.