Date Formatting

[reh37]

I want to enter a numeric date (61592) and have Excel convert it to (06/15/92). I've selected the cells and used the Format/Cells and Date selection, however, when I enter the numeric date, Excel converts it to some new date and present it with in the mm/dd/yy format. How can I turn off this conversion, or enter the numeric data so I can do the formatting?

 

[Yogi Anand]

On 2002-05-16 06:28, Boxer wrote:
Hi

I have exactly the opposite problem, I am using a combobox within a form to selct from a list of dates however after I have made the selection the number appears in number format not the date format.!!!

I am sure this is somthing really simple but would be grateful if you could help.

Hi Boxer:
Yes, it is really simple -- but it is profound! You see to Excel, a given date is a number. For Excel's date calendar, Jan-1-1900 is day number 1,
so what number would be Jan-5-1900. Even though to us human beings, it is Jan-5-1900, but remember Excel's main function is to mathematically manipulate -- add to, subtract from and so forth in regard to these dates. I believe you have had plenty of time now to figure out that to Excel Jan-5-1900 is number 5. So, you ask what is it, is it number 5, or is it Jan-5-1900 -- well to Excel both of these are the same thing -- the only difference is formatting.
Now, back to your particular situation, if your date looks like a number, what would you have to do? Did you say Format it as a date. If you got that CELEBRATE! If you did not get that reread this post.

Regards!

 

[reh37]

Yogi, thanks. I finally got it.

 

[Boxer]

Hi

Thanks for that, I understand how excel works with dates. The problem has 99% been solved, the other 1 % is cosmetic so it can wait until I have got time to spend playing with it. Once again many thanks