Prevent excel from changing numeric data ranges into dates?

[Guest]

I want to prevent excel from changing my numeric data into dates (ie. 10-12,
into 12-Oct). I want to import specific data ranges, not a date values.

Whenever I paste or type a possible date, like 10-12, excel assumes I am
writing Oct. 12, 2004. Then, Excel formats the cell into a Custom d-mmm
format (see scrn shot @ www.vd4.org/excel_issue.gif).

If I change the Custom format to General, excel converts the date into the
DATE'S value (ie. 12-Oct, into 38272; which I think is the # of days since
1900?).

How can I *prevent* excel from changing my data ranges into dates (ie keep
10-12 as is, not 12-Oct)? Also, is there a way to convert dates back into
data ranges (ie. 12-Oct, into 10-12)?

 

[R.VENKATARAMAN]

try this. to your first question- before entering the values format the
cells as < text>

 

[Guest]

Thanks! It works for when I type. But when I paste html, the text formatting
does not work. How can I import these values?