Typing in dates

[ALLAROUNDOFFICE]

How can I hard code a column of cells to convert the user entered data of "042614" or "42614" into a specific date format such as 04/26/2014?

 

[mfexcel]

If there are too much freedom in inputting the date, it really hard to find a solution to cater all "possible" scenarios. In Japan, people use to input data as 14.04.29; or someone may input 2-A-14. Then that would be totally out of control.

Therefore, I would actually suggest you do something basic - To define a standardized format for user's input; and then use Data Validation to restrict User's input.

For Data Validation:
To to Data Tab ==> Data Validation
On the Settings Tab, Allow: Date and then define the date

On the Input Message Table, you may put something like "Pls input date as DD/MM/YYYY" format (this message will be prompted whenever the cell is selected)

In this way, you can avoid unexpected entry and save you hours of work afterward.

I read the article, but I am somewhat of a novice on formulas. All of the cells are blank right now and the users will be typing in a date as the sale happens. As you probably know, every person types in dates differently so I want to hard code the sale date column to convert to a six or eight digit date with slashes regardless of how the user types it in..i.e. for April 26th, 2014 I've seen 42614, 4262014, 042614, 04262014, 4-26-14, 04-26-2014, etc...