unknown formats being applied

[Biff]

Hi Folks!

I posted this problem about a week or so ago without
resolution so I'll try again.

I'm having unknown formats being applied when I enter
certain types of data. I first noticed this when I created
a custom format of 000. I have one WB where I use this
format. Whenever I apply this format to a cell(s) and the
leading zero is displayed, as in 012, the format of that
cell(s) automatically changes from my custom 000 to some
kind of Chineese format in the Special catagory. Here's a
screencap of the format dialogue:

http://img28.exs.cx/img28/6706/Format.jpg

The value does display as it should, notice the sample box.

So tonight I'm working on some stuff and I have another
one of these unknown formats being applied. This time it's
called custom B2d-mmm. This one seems to be associated
with a date. I entered A1-1 (not a formula, just a simple
text string) in the cell and this is what it changed to.
See screencap:

http://img37.exs.cx/img37/7025/Format2.jpg

I have checked all the settings that I know of, and all
are set properly. I check my OS regional and language
setting. I have also check my Office language settings.
All are in order unless there are some that I don't know
about, but where would they be?

I'm completely stumped (and that's not good!)

Thanks for any assistance
Biff

 

[Biff]

Hi Vaughan!

Thanks for your feedback. I think it's kind of strange
that these type of formats apply when all the regional
language settings are set to English and U.S.

Oh well, I guess it's just one of those things!

Biff

-----Original Message-----
I tried your second problem out and the same thing

happened. It must be a feature.

"A1-1" must be being interpreted as a date in (what?)

Arabic maybe? It seems to be equivalent to 21 Feb 2004.
The answer is to enter it as " 'A1-1 " with the
apostrophe, or to format the relevant cells as text.

Don't know where the second one came from, but you could

try reformatting the cells to start with.