strange date format problem

[amag]

Hi,

I downloaded some data on excel using Bloomberg. One column has dates
and the other has numbers. Dates appear as 01/01/1980 format which I
want in Jan-80 format. I have changed the format cell properties but it
still appears as 01/01/1980. I have to goto individual cell and press
F2 <enter> so see the effect. Dont know why? I cant even copy paste
format after that ....

TIA/amag

 

[bgeier]

I am not sure, but is your workbook set to Auto-Recalculate?

Try pushing <F9> to do a manual re-calculation, see if that changes the
formats. If it does, go to Tools (on the menu bar), Options,
Calculation, check the box next to Automatic.

Are the dates stored as text?

 

[Dave Peterson]

It sounds like those date values aren't really dates. If you select the range
of troublesome "dates" and do:

Edit|replace
what: / (slash)
with: /
replace all

Excel will notice that they're really dates.