importing csv files, problem with date formats

J

jiwolf

I have a problem with how excel treats dates that are imported as a csv
file.

For some reason, excel occasionally transposes dates from dd/mm format to
mm/dd format.

I know that the problem isn't with the format of the cells but I think it is
the way that the exporting program recognises dates.

It may be that the problem is due to the fact that week numbers less than 12
could be interpreted as a month or a week. ( the problem does not occur on
dates that fall in week 13 or greater).

Does any one know of an easy way of solving the problem or converting the
dates ?


any help greatly appreciated


Pete
 
G

Gary L Brown

Change the file extension of the file from .csv to .txt. This will make the
Import Wizard come up when you import the file. You can then format the data
any way you wish.
HTH,
 
J

jiwolf

I appreciate the prompt reply, but the problem is that the program that
generates the data only exports as a csv
 
G

Gary L Brown

Understood.
After the program exports, using Windows Explorer, go to where the file was
exproted to, highlight it, hit F2 to edit the name and change the extension
to .txt from .csv.
HTH,
 
W

wjohnson

1. Select your spreadsheet - then select Format CELLS - TEXT.
2. In EXCEL the CSV file you want to import into Excel.
Then on STEP 3 of the import menu - select all of the columns indicate
import as TEXT. Then you can format the date the way you want.
You might just try importing the file and format your date field only
in Step 3 of the Import Menu Program, (i.e. you might not have to
change the cells to "TEXT" prior to importing).
 
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