how do i stop excel from showing numbers as dates

[gfatips]

when i try to type in number in cell excel converts it to a date

 

[FSt1]

hi
is the cell pre-formated as date???

regards
FSt1

 

[Fred Smith]

If you truly a typing a number (ie, only the digits from 0 to 9), Excel will
convert it to a date only if you have formatted the cell as a date. So
change the formatting.

If, as is more likely, you are your entries include a dash or a slash, this
is what triggers Excel's date interpretation. Your options here are:

1. Preformat the cell as text.
2. Precede your entry with an apostophe (')

Regards,
Fred,

 

[Bruce Sinclair]

If you truly a typing a number (ie, only the digits from 0 to 9), Excel will
convert it to a date only if you have formatted the cell as a date. So
change the formatting.

If, as is more likely, you are your entries include a dash or a slash, this
is what triggers Excel's date interpretation. Your options here are:

1. Preformat the cell as text.
2. Precede your entry with an apostophe (')

Um ... technically the ' says it's a text format, doesn't it ? If so, then
it's still not a number. Sounds like (1) is the way to go here.