Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

stop the dates!

Nov 19, 2005 3:57AM PST

How do I stop the dates from appearing in excel when I type 8-11 (as in I want it to be a time, 8 o'clock to 11). I cannot find the option to turn the auto-date function off. I have office 2003. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Formatting cells...
Nov 19, 2005 12:28PM PST

Unfortunately there is no setting to prevent Excel from automatically recognizing "11/19" and "11-19" as "19-Nov". However, you can stop it on a case-by-case basis by selecting the cells in question, going format->cells (or right-clicking the cells and selecting "format cells"), and on the "number" tab, selecting "text".

Hope this helps,
John

- Collapse -
Another way
Nov 19, 2005 8:40PM PST

Whenever you want to enter something like 8/11, type it with an apostrophe before hand, eg '8/11.

It then gets printed as is.

Mark

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) thanks. works perfectly!
Nov 20, 2005 5:41AM PST