converting text to proper dates

[Peter]

Hi, I have got a column full of "dates" that are actually just text of
the form "Jun-06-2008". No matter how I change the formatting of
these cells, they are not being read as dates. Is there an automated
way for me to convert these into what Excel will recognize as dates?
Thanks very much. Excel 2007, if it makes a difference -

 

[Gord Dibben]

First thing I do with those is run them through Data>Text to Columns

Select entire column then..............

Next>Next>Column Data Format>Date>MDY and finish.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Peter]

Hello! Thanks very much for your reply, but I am afraid I am still
stuck? I have 3 columns now, each in general format, and each
containing data, e.g. A2 = "Apr", B2 = "17", C2 = "2003". I am trying
to glue these separate pieces of data together using concatenate, but
having absolutely no luck. Do you have a moment for a further
suggestion? Thanks very much.

 

[isabelle]

hi Peter,

=DATE(C2,MATCH(A2,{"Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug","Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec"},0),B2)

 

[Gord Dibben]

You don't want to split the dates across 3 columns.

When faced with choosing fixed or de-limited in step 1 of Text Wizard, choose
fixed.

If Excel tries to add split lines, delete them by d-click on the vertical
separation lines


Gord

 

[Peter]

Ah. Got it. Thanks very much - not the world's smartest question, I'm
afraid -

 

[Gord Dibben]

Good to hear.

Happy to help

Ah. Got it. Thanks very much - not the world's smartest question, I'm
afraid -