You can. Just record a macro to format the date, add a button to the toolbar, and assign the macro to the button. So,
1)Record the macro:
-Click on a cell you want to format.
-Go to Tools > Macro > Record New Macro
-Type a name for your Macro, with no spaces, like "FormatDate"
-Click the drop down box to store the macro in your personal macro workbook. That way, it will be available in all your excel files.
-Hit Ok, and the macro recording begins.
-Format the date the way you normally would, using format > cells. Make sure you don't select any cells during the macro recording. Just do the formating.
-Hit the stop recording button.
2)Add a button to your toolbar:
-Right click in the toolbar area, and choose Customize
-Click the commands tab
-In the categories box on the left, choose Macros
-In the commands box, drag either a custom button or custom menu item up and put it on one of your toolbars.
3)Assign the macro to your new buton.
-Click the Modify Selection, and choose Assign Macro.
-In the box that pops up, choose the macro you just recorded. If you don't see it, try changing the drop down box at the bottom.
-Hit OK, then Close.
Then give your new button a try. If it doesn't work as expected, try looking at the code for the macro by going to Tools > Macro > Macros. Then click your macro and choose Step Into. The code only needs to be a few lines, like this:
Sub FormatDate()
Selection.NumberFormat = "mm/dd/yy"
End Sub
If you have too many other lines, it may be because you did other things while the macro was recording, and that can throw off your results.
Let me know if this helps.
Joe
EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com