Custom Number Format not Saving

[Jane]

I have created a custom number format dd-mm-yyyy but
every time I close Excel (2003 version) the custom number
format is not saved. How do I make sure it stays as a
custom number format so I don't have to keep recreating
it every time I start a new spreadsheet?

 

[Dave Peterson]

Does this mean that when you open the workbook, the custom formats are gone or
when someone else opens your workbook the cells aren't formatted like you(!)
want.

If it's the second...

There are some custom date formats that don't belong to you.

I'm betting that you happened to use the same format that excel uses to tell it
to pick up the format from the windows regional settings (under control panel).

xl2002 is more honest with the way it deals with dates. (Maybe it's in xl2003,
too.)

When I do Format|cells|Number Tab and click on the date category, I get a
message in the dialog:

Date formats display date and time serial numbers as date values. Except for
items that have an asterisk (*), applied formats do not switch date orders with
the operating system.

Maybe you could use a different (one that windows doesn't "own") format.

Or you could change your windows short date format.
windows start button|settings|control panel|regional settings applet
Date Tab.

and you didn't ask...

My favorite date format:
mm/dd/yyyy* dddd
(it'll be justified right and left and show both the date and day.)

 

[Jane]

Unfortunately, it is the first option that I am trying to
fix. I have created the custom number format using Excel
2003 on my PC for use on my new spreadsheets - but when I
go back into Excel and create a new spreadsheet and want
to use my custom format - it has not been saved in the
list and I have to create it all over again.

P.S. Dave - Sorry for not asking about your favorite
format, it sounds fantastic!

 

[Dave Peterson]

Those custom formats travel with the workbook.

One way to make sure that all your new workbooks have this custom format is to
create a Book.xlt (template workbook). Store it in your XLStart folder.

In fact, you can specify everything you want new workbooks to have when they're
created.

Margins/page layout (portrait or landscape)/headers/footers and custom number
formats.

Apply your custom format to a cell in one of the worksheets in book.xlt.

Then delete that column.

Save your book.xlt and try it out.

close excel
restart excel
click on that New Icon (under the excel icon adjacent to the File|Edit toolbar)

 

[Jane]

Hi Dave,

You are a genius!

Thank you so much,

Jane

-----Original Message-----
Those custom formats travel with the workbook.

One way to make sure that all your new workbooks have this custom format is to
create a Book.xlt (template workbook). Store it in your XLStart folder.

In fact, you can specify everything you want new workbooks to have when they're
created.

Margins/page layout (portrait or

landscape)/headers/footers and custom number

 

[Dave Peterson]

Let her talk. Really, no interruptions. Everyone should have a say.

Well, enough about me. Let's talk about you.

What do you really think of me?
<vbg>

===
glad it worked out.