Date format clarification

[Blue Max]

When a user selects the 14-Mar-01 standard date format in Excel 2007, then
selects the custom format option, this is the standard format that displays:

[$-409]d-mmm-yy;@

What is the significance of the prefix "[$-409]" included with this standard
format? Why is that prefix even necessary and is it necessary to include
the prefix for all custom date formats we create?

Thank you for any help.

 

[Gary''s Student]

Its a number format code. See:

http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/hfws.aspx?AssetID=HA010346351033&CTT=6&Origin=EC010272491033

 

[Gord Dibben]

The 409 is country or locale code number.

Not necessary to use it when custom formatting cells.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Blue Max]

Thank you for the reply, "Gary's Student - gsnu201001". The information
link was very useful. However, we still have the following questions:

FIRST, why does this prefix even show when we are working in our default
locale (location) and have not specified a new locale (location) for the
shipping format before selecting the 'Custom' category?

SECOND, we note that the custom format only shows the prefix for the locale
and language segment, not the numeral shape or calendar type segment. If it
must have the prefix then why not all segments of the prefix?

THIRD, does a user always have to include a prefix when creating custom
format codes, even when working in their default locale (location)?

Thanks,

Richard

*******************

Its a number format code. See:

http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/hfws.aspx?AssetID=HA010346351033&CTT=6&Origin=EC010272491033


--
Gary''s Student - gsnu201001

When a user selects the 14-Mar-01 standard date format in Excel 2007,
then
selects the custom format option, this is the standard format that
displays:

[$-409]d-mmm-yy;@

What is the significance of the prefix "[$-409]" included with this
standard
format? Why is that prefix even necessary and is it necessary to include
the prefix for all custom date formats we create?

Thank you for any help.

 

[Blue Max]

Thank you, Gord. I appreciate the confirmation that it is not necessary.
However, still wonder why it even shows up in the first place when
displaying the custom format code for the standard code?

Thanks,

Richard

The 409 is country or locale code number.

Not necessary to use it when custom formatting cells.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

When a user selects the 14-Mar-01 standard date format in Excel 2007, then
selects the custom format option, this is the standard format that
displays:

[$-409]d-mmm-yy;@

What is the significance of the prefix "[$-409]" included with this
standard
format? Why is that prefix even necessary and is it necessary to include
the prefix for all custom date formats we create?

Thank you for any help.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Why? No idea.


Gord

Thank you, Gord. I appreciate the confirmation that it is not necessary.
However, still wonder why it even shows up in the first place when
displaying the custom format code for the standard code?

Thanks,

Richard

The 409 is country or locale code number.

Not necessary to use it when custom formatting cells.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

When a user selects the 14-Mar-01 standard date format in Excel 2007, then
selects the custom format option, this is the standard format that
displays:

[$-409]d-mmm-yy;@

What is the significance of the prefix "[$-409]" included with this
standard
format? Why is that prefix even necessary and is it necessary to include
the prefix for all custom date formats we create?

Thank you for any help.

 

[ozgrid.com]

I believe the "[$-409]" will switch formats if opened on another PC, if
needed.