How to Get Excel to Not Format in mm-yyyy Format
Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis and management, but sometimes its default formatting can be a hindrance. One common issue users face is the automatic conversion of dates to the mm-yyyy format. While this format is useful in many cases, there are situations where you might want to keep the date in its original format. In this article, we will discuss how to get Excel to not format in mm-yyyy format and provide you with a step-by-step guide to achieve this.
Understanding the Problem
When you enter a date in Excel, it automatically recognizes the format and converts it to the mm-yyyy format. This is done to make it easier for users to read and compare dates. However, this can be problematic if you need to work with dates in a different format or if you want to perform calculations on the date values.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disable mm-yyyy Format
To disable the mm-yyyy format in Excel, follow these steps:
1. Select the cell containing the date you want to format.
2. Right-click on the selected cell and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu.
3. In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the “Number” tab.
4. In the “Category” list, select “Custom.”
5. In the “Type” field, enter the format you want to use. For example, if you want to display the date as “dd-mm-yyyy,” enter “dd-mm-yyyy” in the “Type” field.
6. Click “OK” to apply the format to the selected cell.
Alternative Method: Using the TEXT Function
If you want to apply the custom date format to multiple cells without manually formatting each one, you can use the TEXT function. Here’s how:
1. In a new cell, enter the following formula: =TEXT(A1, “dd-mm-yyyy”)
2. Replace “A1” with the reference to the cell containing the date you want to format.
3. Press Enter, and the date will be displayed in the custom format.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily get Excel to not format in mm-yyyy format and work with dates in the format that best suits your needs. Whether you’re performing calculations or simply want to display dates in a specific format, these methods will help you achieve your goal. Remember that custom formatting can be applied to individual cells or entire ranges, so feel free to experiment with different formats to find the one that works best for you.
