dates

[carla]

i was wondering if there was a way to format a whole
column to return a date format no matter which way a
person was to eneter a date. for example, wheni used the
format function, the only way it will change it to my pick
is when its entered dec 12, 2003. if its entered
12/12/2003, it will stay like that? ugh
any ideas?
thanks so much if anyone can help

 

[Ian Coates]

Hi Carla

I think I understand what you mean. What you need to do is to set up a
custom format for the whole column. Clicking on the letter at the top of the
column will semect the whole column. The go to format - cells. Select the
number tab and select the custom category. In the "Type" box enter mmm dd,
yyyy and OK this. This will format anything Excel recognises as a date in
the form Jan 06, 2004

Ian

 

[Patti]

Carla - if you format the column before entering any data, it will work like you want it to. Say column C is the one you want to use for dates.
Ex: Right click on column C and select format cells. On the number tab, in the category box, select date, then in the type box, select the date style you want (such as March 21, 2001).
Now if you enter 12/2 or Dec 2 or 12-2, they will all display as December 2, 2004. When entering the dates, the system assumes current year if it's not entered.

----- carla wrote: -----

i was wondering if there was a way to format a whole
column to return a date format no matter which way a
person was to eneter a date. for example, wheni used the
format function, the only way it will change it to my pick
is when its entered dec 12, 2003. if its entered
12/12/2003, it will stay like that? ugh
any ideas?
thanks so much if anyone can help