Dates

[Chris]

One thing I can't stand about excel is Microsoft's need
to auto format dates. Is there any way to turn it off?
For example if I want a cell to read 10-00, I need to
place a ' at the beginning or else it will format as a
date. Even if you try and make the cell in general
format it become the serial value for that particular
date. Time does the same thing.

Is there a way to turn off this "feature" or do I need to
place the ' at the beginning (which is really annoying)?
thanks for any help

 

[Anon]

One thing I can't stand about excel is Microsoft's need
to auto format dates. Is there any way to turn it off?
For example if I want a cell to read 10-00, I need to
place a ' at the beginning or else it will format as a
date. Even if you try and make the cell in general
format it become the serial value for that particular
date. Time does the same thing.

Is there a way to turn off this "feature" or do I need to
place the ' at the beginning (which is really annoying)?
thanks for any help

Format the cells as text BEFORE trying to type into them.