prevent converting numbers with hyphens to dates

[Guest]

I have a csv file that includes a column that contains text in the format
1-2-14. These are not dates, they are text and must remain in that format. I
have tried importing, pasting, everything I can think of (including the
obvious cell formatting) with no luck. They are converted into dates and I
can't get them back into the right format. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance
Mike

 

[Guest]

One way would be to do a Find$Replace on the file before importing to replace
all hyphens with doublehyphens.....(replace - with --)...........then change
back after importing if you wish..........


Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3

 

[Anne Troy]

Well, I am not sure if this will help when it's already been imported:
http://vbaexpress.com/kb/getarticle.php?kb_id=138
************
Hope it helps!
Anne Troy
www.OfficeArticles.com

 

[vezerid]

Mike,
Since the data have already been converted, maybe you can try something
like:
=DAY(a1)&"-"&MONTH(A1)&"-"YEAR(A1)-1900)

Does this help?
Kostis Vezerides

 

[Guest]

I should let you know that the csv file itself has not been converted. If I
open it in notepad, the data is still intact. I just can't seem to view or
manipulate it in Excel.

 

[Pete]

Rename the csv file to .txt, then in Excel do File | Open and point to
the .txt file. This will automatically take you into the File Import
Wizard, where you will be able to specify in the 3rd panel which
field(s) you want to import as text (or dates etc).

Hope this helps.

Pete