Excel-How Do I prevent data conversion to date format

[Guest]

I am trying to input symbolic numerical data that includes forward slashes ie
"5/5" in a simple excel spread sheet. However when I do so, it converts the
input into a date format ie: "5-may" or "5/5/07" Furthermore. Even if I erase
the content from the "evil" cell in question, any future integer value ( ie:
" 5 " ) entered in to that cell is converted to a date format. How do I
prevent this from happening and/or disable this function in excel. Thanks
for any and all help.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

I am trying to input symbolic numerical data that includes forward slashes ie
"5/5" in a simple excel spread sheet. However when I do so, it converts the
input into a date format ie: "5-may" or "5/5/07" Furthermore. Even if I erase
the content from the "evil" cell in question, any future integer value ( ie:
" 5 " ) entered in to that cell is converted to a date format. How do I
prevent this from happening and/or disable this function in excel. Thanks
for any and all help.

The data must be entered into the cell as TEXT.

This can be done either by

1. Format the cell as TEXT before entering the data (Format/Cells/Number/Text)
2. Precede the data with a single quote '2/2


--ron

 

[Chip Pearson]

Format the cell for "Text" *before* entering the data, or precede the data
with an apostrophe ('). The apostrophe will not show up in the cell but will
show up in the formula bar. The apostrophe tells Excel to treat the data
strictly as it was entered with no date or other conversions.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting
www.cpearson.com
(email on the web site)

 

[Gord Dibben]

Precede the 5/5 with a apostrophe or pre-format to Text


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP