Date Format in CSV file

[nchioda]

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Hi There,

I have an Excel file with dates in the mmddyyy format that I need to save as a csv file in order to upload it to a vendor. In the csv file, the dates appear correct in the cell but they are not being recognized by the vendor. When I try to format the column using the date or custom mmddyyyy options they appear as “‘xxxxxxxxx”. Is there a formula I can use in the csv file to convert the dates to mmddyyyy? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Kenneth Hobson]

Create a schema.ini file to override defaults.

 

[nchioda]

So sorry, but that is beyond my meager skills...can you tell me how?

 

[Kenneth Hobson]

There might be an easier way though dates and csv files can be problematic. I am not sure why dates should be a problem though. They are just numbers but csv files have their own way about them, ergo the problem. There may be an issue on the other users part possibly. You might need to explain how they are using the data, in Excel, MSWord, vb.net, etc. Getting away from the standard date format can lead to these sorts of problems.

Try posting a simple example workbook to a shared site like box.net.

I posted some example code in a forum where I imported all the csv files in a folder recently but I don't want to list it just yet so as not to confuse you. The method created the schema.ini. To read the basics, see: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms709353%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

 

[nchioda]

Thanks but the schema.ini basics are just beyond me....is there no formula I can use to convert the dates appearing as text to actual dates?