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Excel 2002 Cell Formatting Problem

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by rpeeples 1 view

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Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please forgive me if this question has been asked and answered.

In Excel 2002, why does it automatically reformat a certain number to Date format?

For example, I am entering the number 02-04-2031. This is a part number, not a date even though it "looks" like it could be a date. It must have the leading "0" and the dashes.

I can change the cell format to "General" but when I enter the part number it changes to "2/4/2031". I can also change the cell format to "Number" but it changes to "47883".

I have looked in the options in Excel and I don't see anything to change. I have also looked on Technet.com, no help there either.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions anybody might have as to a work around for this problem.

Thanks!!!
Russell Peeples

5 replies

by rpeeples

I have tried formatting both before and after entering into the cell. It seems Excel changes it however it wants to.

by jessie

Since this is a part number and probably not numeric data that has to be manipulated, I'd reccommend formatting the cell as text, or typing a preceding ' in front of the number, i.e. '01-01-3019. This way Excel will TREAT it as text and not change it's format.

by deepsand

This is a tech. problem, in search of a solution.

It properly belongs in "Technical Q&A," not in "Discussions."

Please re-post there.

Thank you.

by rpeeples

I have tried the ' and formatting as text. According to the person who is using the spreadsheet, it needs to be formatted as general or number to be searchable.

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