CSV imported data being formatted as a date

[Steve Richter]

I am importing a .CSV file into excel 2000. The 3rd column contains
data that looks like a date:
"MB","xxxxx FJC ","07/13/08 "
"MB","xxxxx FJC ","07/15/08 "
"MB","xxxxx FJC ","07/23/08 "

excel displays this data as 7/13/2008, 7/15/2008, ...

problem is, when I format the column as "text" the value "39642" is
displayed in place of "07/13/08", "39644" in place of "07/15/08".

How do I get excel to load the .CSV file with "text" formatting on all
columns? Or, how do I format the 3rd column to display the original,
loaded data?

thanks,

 

[Gary''s Student]

Because .csv is "native" to Excel, double-click the icon will cause Excel to
try to help you by interpreting the fields. You can avoid this by:

Data > Import External Data > Import Data >

and then tell the wizard what the format should be

 

[Steve Richter]

Because .csv is "native" to Excel, double-click the icon will cause Excelto
try to help you by interpreting the fields.  You can avoid this by:

Data > Import External Data > Import Data >

and then tell the wizard what the format should be

outstanding! Thanks for the help.

-Steve