See a number, read a date

[Guest]

If I type the number (that's number) 20070919 into a cell, the majority of
the english speaking world will recognise instantly that it also represents a
date. What is the quickest and easiest way of persuading Excel to do the same
thing?

 

[Guest]

if the value is in A1 then in another cell:

=DATE(LEFT(A1,4),MID(A1,5,2),RIGHT(A1,2))

 

[Guest]

Or without using another cell try selecting the number and:0

Data|Text to columns

keep click next until you get to a screen with 'Column data format'
Select date and in the dropdown YMD
Click finish

Mike