Pasting data into a cell - and Excel changes the format

[automatic apply of cell format]

Hello

I am trying to paste numbers like 2178-09-4 into Excel, in
this format (as text), but Excel keeps thinking it is a
date, and ends up displaying it as 04/09/2178, which is
driving me crazy. Any ideas on how to stop it being clever?

I just want it to paste exactly as it appears!

Thanks

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
two ways:
1. pre-format the cell as 'Text'
2. enter your value with a leading apostrophe: '

 

[data]

You might try first click on format icon, click on cells,then click on number folder. One of the category items listed might give you the format that you need.