don't want dates

[sleepwalker]

I try putting in a part number, 02-09-6122, and Excel changes it to a date, 2/9/6122. If I right click on the cell and select "Format cells..." and select "General" on the "Number" tab, it changes it to read "1542095" Where the heck did it get that number from? For the moment I am getting around the problem by entering a space before the data and it holds it's place. Is there some other way to force this cell to do what I want it to?

 

[Joe Was]

Before you add the part number format the range as Text. If Excel thinks you are using dates it will autoformat the cell, if you change the autoformat to any other format it will use the serial value of the date and not use the original, thus changing the original input to what you are seeing. JSW

 

[kskinne]

hello, and welcome to the board:

the reason that the number is changed to 1542095 is because this is the no. that represents the date 02/09/6122 in Microsoft Excel date-time code. In order to get around having excel change your part no. to a date, you could try formatting the cells where you are entering these data as TEXT, and then when you enter your part no.'s, it shouldn't convert them into a date.

HTH
kevin

 

[Juan Pablo González]

You could enter it also as

'02-09-6122

the ' will make Excel treat it as Text and won't try to convert it to a date.

 

[sleepwalker]

Wow!! A message board that is actually helpful!! And quick to reply!! Thanks for the help. Both of the listed fixes helped. Thanks agian for the quick replies.