Cell to read exactly what I put in cell

[TJ]

I am trying to put numbers in the cells that have a dash in them. For
example 9-1, or 4-6. Everytime I do it it changes to a date or some other
random number. I tried every format and can't figure it out. HELP??
PLEASE??

Also how do I make a cell format to put in the total value of a simple math
problem. For instance, i put in the cell 5+7-6+3 but it reads the answer

 

[BoniM]

To have 9-1 display without autoformatting to date, type in '9-1 (the
apostrophe will not display in the cell, it's a formatting character) or
format the cell as text before data entry.
To enter a math problem and see the result in the cell, preceed with an
equal sign:
=5+7-6+3