date format

H

Hitter

hello, here's my dilemma

I'm trying to create a worksheet displaying statistical information, and when I enter any two numbers separated by a dash, they are automatically converted to the corresponding calendar date. for example, I want the cell to display 2-9, but it is changed to 9-Feb. now, when I go to Format - Cell and try to change the category to number, or general, the data in the cell is then converted to a Julian date. I'm using Excel 2002. I have been unable to find any pertinent info in any of the Excel and Office help sections. any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks very much.
 
A

Andy B

Hitter

Try putting an apostrophe ' first.

Andy.

Hitter said:
hello, here's my dilemma.

I'm trying to create a worksheet displaying statistical information, and
Click to expand...
when I enter any two numbers separated by a dash, they are automatically
converted to the corresponding calendar date. for example, I want the cell
to display 2-9, but it is changed to 9-Feb. now, when I go to Format - Cell
and try to change the category to number, or general, the data in the cell
is then converted to a Julian date. I'm using Excel 2002. I have been
unable to find any pertinent info in any of the Excel and Office help
sections. any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks very much.
 
J

Jason Morin

Once you have manually entered data into a cell, you
cannot change the actual contents (ie go from a date to
text) through formatting. In your case, add a prefix
of "'" to each entry or pre-format the cells as text prior
to data entry.

HTH
Jason
Atlanta, GA
-----Original Message-----
hello, here's my dilemma.

I'm trying to create a worksheet displaying statistical
Click to expand...
information, and when I enter any two numbers separated by
a dash, they are automatically converted to the
corresponding calendar date. for example, I want the cell
to display 2-9, but it is changed to 9-Feb. now, when I
go to Format - Cell and try to change the category to
number, or general, the data in the cell is then converted
to a Julian date. I'm using Excel 2002. I have been
unable to find any pertinent info in any of the Excel and
Office help sections. any help would be greatly
appreciated, thanks very much.
 
P

Paul

Or format the cell(s) as text BEFORE entering the data.
Note that "2-9" is a text string, not a number.
 
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