dates in ppt charts

[mail]

I'm finding it impossible to head a column with the date '01/02' as it
is automatically changed to a date in a different format ('99/00' and
00/01', however are fine).

I have tried using a customised number with the format 'yy/yy', which
gives a sample of 04/04. However, when I then try and type '01/02'
into the cell '04/04' appears!

Help please!

 

[Gareth John]

I'm finding it impossible to head a column with the date '01/02' as it
is automatically changed to a date in a different format ('99/00' and
00/01', however are fine).

I have tried using a customised number with the format 'yy/yy', which
gives a sample of 04/04. However, when I then try and type '01/02'
into the cell '04/04' appears!

This is a relic and ongoing symptom of Microsoft's 'Mother knows best'
attitude. Its software believes it recognises a date being input, and
reformats the cell accordingly. That behaviour has been around (and I've
complained about it) since Excel v1.1.

One answer (in Excel) is to prefix the input with an apostrophe ('),
which will force the cell to be formatted as plain text. Unfortunately,
in a Graph object in PowerPoint, the apostrophe shows up on the chart.

My solution is to type a space before each such input (any pair of one-
or two-digit numbers separated by a slash or hyphen). The space will at
least be invisible on the plotted chart.

HTH!

Gareth.

 

[Gareth John]

This is a relic and ongoing symptom of Microsoft's 'Mother knows best'
attitude. Its software believes it recognises a date being input, and
reformats the cell accordingly. That behaviour has been around (and I've
complained about it) since Excel v1.1.

One answer (in Excel) is to prefix the input with an apostrophe ('),
which will force the cell to be formatted as plain text. Unfortunately,
in a Graph object in PowerPoint, the apostrophe shows up on the chart.

My solution is to type a space before each such input (any pair of one-
or two-digit numbers separated by a slash or hyphen). The space will at
least be invisible on the plotted chart.

HTH!

Gareth.

Darnit. A much simpler answer, which I should have pointed out first, is
to select the range of header cells in your Graph datasheet, and do
Format: Number: Text.

Gareth J.

 

[mail]

Darnit. A much simpler answer, which I should have pointed out first, is
to select the range of header cells in your Graph datasheet, and do
Format: Number: Text.

Gareth J.

 

[mail]

Darnit. A much simpler answer, which I should have pointed out first, is
to select the range of header cells in your Graph datasheet, and do
Format: Number: Text.

Gareth J.

 

[mail]

Brilliant! Thanks

Darnit. A much simpler answer, which I should have pointed out first, is
to select the range of header cells in your Graph datasheet, and do
Format: Number: Text.

Gareth J.

 

[mail]

Brilliant! Thanks

Darnit. A much simpler answer, which I should have pointed out first, is
to select the range of header cells in your Graph datasheet, and do
Format: Number: Text.

Gareth J.