How to Get Excel to Stop Changing Numbers to Dates

Have you ever experienced frustration when trying to input numerical data into Microsoft Excel, only for the program to automatically convert it into a date format? This common occurrence can cause major issues for those looking to maintain accurate records or perform calculations. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions that can prevent Excel from changing numbers to dates. In this blog post, we will detail these options and provide step-by-step instructions on how to implement them.

Why Excel Changes Numbers to Dates

Before we jump into how to prevent Excel from converting numbers to dates, let’s understand why this happens in the first place. By default, Excel assumes any six-digit number is a date and will automatically convert it into a date format. This can be an annoying issue for those inputting alphanumeric codes or other numerical data that is not related to dates.

Option 1: Format Cells

The easiest way to prevent Excel from converting numbers to dates is through formatting cells. To do this:

1. Select the cells that contain the data you want to format.
2. Right-click on the highlighted cells and select “Format Cells.”
3. Select the “Number” tab and choose “Number” in the category list.
4. Click “OK.”

This will convert the data back to a numerical format and prevent Excel from automatically changing it to a date.

Option 2: Add an Apostrophe

Another workaround to preventing Excel from changing numbers to dates is to add an apostrophe before the numerical data. The apostrophe tells Excel to treat the data as a text entry and thus, prevents any automatic formatting. Here’s how to do this:

1. Select the cell where you want to input numerical data.
2. Type an apostrophe before the numerical data.
3. Press “Enter” to input the data.

The apostrophe will not be visible in the cell, but it will tell Excel to treat the data as text and prevent any automatic formatting.

Option 3: Adjust Regional Settings

If the issue persists even after trying the first two options, you can adjust your regional settings to prevent Excel from automatically converting numbers to dates. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to the “Control Panel” on your computer.
2. Select “Clock and Region,” then “Region.”
3. Click on the “Additional Settings” button on the “Formats” tab.
4. In the “Decimal Symbol” field, enter a period (.) instead of a comma (,).
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Changing your regional settings will prevent Excel from automatically converting six-digit numbers into dates. However, this option may not be ideal for those who frequently use commas instead of periods within their numerical data.

An Ounce of Prevention…

While the above options will help prevent Excel from converting numbers to dates, it’s always better to prevent the problem from arising in the first place. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• When inputting numerical data, include a decimal point or another non-numeric character to prevent Excel from thinking it’s a date.
• If using Excel formulas, make sure your cell references are locked with a “$” sign. This will prevent Excel from changing the cell references if you copy and paste formulas into other cells.
• Consider using Excel’s “Text to Columns” feature to split up data that includes dates and numbers. This feature enables users to convert text to numbers and dates and fix formats in one go.

Excel’s automatic formatting can be helpful at times but can also be a nuisance, particularly when it comes to inputting numerical data that needs to remain in its original format. By using the formatting cells, adding an apostrophe or adjusting regional settings options available in Excel, you can easily bypass this common issue. Remember, Excel offers several other features that can help prevent number to date formatting issues from happening in the future.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers regarding this topic:

Why is Excel changing my numbers to dates?

Excel has a default setting where it automatically converts a six-digit number into a date format. This can be problematic if you’re using alphanumeric codes or other numerical data that is not related to dates.

How do I prevent Excel from changing numbers to dates?

You can prevent Excel from changing numbers to dates by formatting cells, adding an apostrophe before the numerical data, or adjusting your regional settings. All these methods were discussed in detail in the blog post.

Can I change the default formatting settings in Excel?

Yes, you can change the default formatting settings in Excel. To do this, you need to modify the settings in the “Excel Options” menu. From there, select “Advanced,” and in the “Editing options” section, uncheck “Automatically Insert a Decimal Point.” This will make it easier for Excel to differentiate between the numbers and dates.

Why is it important to prevent Excel from changing numbers to dates?

It is important to prevent Excel from changing numbers to dates because it can cause major issues for maintaining accurate records, performing calculations, and generating reports.

How can I lock cell references to prevent Excel from changing them?

You can lock cell references by adding a dollar sign ($) before the column letter and row number. For instance, $A$1 will lock both column A and row 1 on the cell reference. This ensures consistency and prevents Excel from changing the cell references when formulas are copied and pasted into other cells.