Numbers change to dates automatically

[Guest]

I have dot as a default date separator in regional settings (comma is a
default decimal separator). Now, if i type in a cell e.g. 2.5 it becomes a
date. Is there a way to prevent this change to date? I don't want to change
reginal settings.

 

[Niek Otten]

Type 2,5 instead of 2.5

 

[Guest]

How about when you really want to have 2.5, not 2,5. Or if you want to
prevent people from typing in other than integers. You can use validate to
force to use integer, but Excel seems to understand dates as integers, so
validateion accepts it. We have both cases, among others (I work at help
desk).

 

[Dave Peterson]

Try formatting the cell as Text first
or
precede your entry with an apostrophe: '2.5

Do you use a dot for the thousands separator?

It sounds like a confusing choice for a date separator to me.