Access can't export data correctly

[Guest]

My company uses a product code scheme that is 2 digits, a dash and then 2
more digits (i.e. 02-05). When this data is exported from Access into Excel,
it converts it the 1900 serial date (i.e. 36851) thinking that the digits are
actually some sort of date. I have the field set up in access to be a text
field, but it still exports as 1900 dates. Thoughts?

 

[Guest]

Excel does not know what data types are being sent to it and makes
assumptions based on the content of the data. In this case, you might try
using a query instead of your table to do the export. Even if you are
already using a query, this modification may work.

In the Field column of your query where you enter the Product Code, instead
of just using the product code, use an expression that prepends an
apostrophe. This should make Excel understand it is text. For example:
ProdCode: "'" & [product_code]