Converting date format

[laredotornado]

Hi,

I'm using Excel 2008 for my Mac 10.6.3. I have a column of data whose
formats follow a date like, "Jan 1, 2008". How do I convert this
columns data to a different date format, specifically, "01/01/2008"?

Thanks, - Dave

 

[Pete_UK]

If it is a proper date (and not just a text value that happens to look
like a date), then you can just apply a different format. Highlight
the cells affected, right-click then select Format Cells. On the
Number tab, select Date, then choose from one of the pre-defined
options. If you don't see any that suit, you can click Custom and then
enter dd/mm/yyyy in the panel (or should that be mm/dd/yyyy for you? -
your example isn't clear).

Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[laredotornado]

If it is a proper date (and not just a text value that happens to look
like a date), then you can just apply a different format. Highlight
the cells affected, right-click then select Format Cells. On the
Number tab, select Date, then choose from one of the pre-defined
options. If you don't see any that suit, you can click Custom and then
enter dd/mm/yyyy in the panel (or should that be mm/dd/yyyy for you? -
your example isn't clear).

Hope this helps.

Pete

Actually it is just text that looks like a date. Any hints along
these lines are greatly appreciated, - Dave

 

[Pete_UK]

You can use a formula like this:

=DATEVALUE(A1)

in an adjacent cell. Format the result to look like how you want it,
and then copy down. If you fix the values in that helper column, you
can copy them over the original values and then delete the helper
column.

Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[The Chief Instigator]

If it is a proper date (and not just a text value that happens to look
like a date), then you can just apply a different format. Highlight
the cells affected, right-click then select Format Cells. On the
Number tab, select Date, then choose from one of the pre-defined
options. If you don't see any that suit, you can click Custom and then
enter dd/mm/yyyy in the panel (or should that be mm/dd/yyyy for you? -
your example isn't clear).

Hope this helps.

Pete

I know the feeling...I've got a few schedule spreadsheets, and I set the
dates in yyyy/mm/dd format (which can be sorted in either direction).