Conditional formatting for cell that contains a date in the past?

[mayapadma]

Is there any way to highlight a cell if it *contains* a date in the past?

=today() does not work since the cell doesn't just have the date in there. Screenshot below:

 

[arthurbr]

Highlight the cell (A1,say)( or range of cells) - Home tab - Styles Group - Conditional formatting tab - New rule - Manage rules - New rule - click " use a formula - Enter

=$A1<today()

- Format as required - OK

 

[Micron]

If your cell values all look like that then perhaps
=VALUE(RIGHT(E11,10))<TODAY()