Software

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Excel Problem

0 helpful
5 replies

by stuart.douglas

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
Trying to import a CSV file into Excel. One of the rows sould display 0 – 4 then 5 – 15 then 16 – 20. Instead of the above display I’m getting 0 – 4 then May15 then 16 – 20. Why?

5 replies

by richtee

Read the Help file on opening a CSV file in Excel. You can adjust the format of imported fields.

by xboss

Hi Stuart

Excel is interpreting 5-15 as a date. 15-5 would give you the same result as would any other UK or
US usual date format.

If you format a cell as text before entering 5-15 then Excel will display exactly what you enter and will not convert to a date.

To solve your problem you should save you csv as a text file then open it and follow the the instructions on the text import wizard. On the final screen choose to import dates as text.

If you are unable to have the csv file saves as a text file then import the data into Excel (Data, Get External Data, Import text file) and select you csv file. Excel will then present you with the text import wizard once again.

Depending on how much of an irritation all this is you might be better off just changing the offending cell after importing your csv file.

Hope this helps.

Mike

This discussion is closed to new replies.