Excel keeps changing “January 2026” into “JAN-26”. How can I force it to display “January 2026”?

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. I did what you told me to do even before your message but it didn't work. I have tried again but it still doesn't work.

Look at the picture below. I think there is another issue but I don't know what to do.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hello Jacobs1​, 

Excel is treating the entry as a date and applying a short date format. Fix it one of these ways:

Option 1: Keep it as a real date

1. Enter a date like 1/1/2026
2. Select the cell
3. Press Ctrl + 1 or Cmd + 1 to open Format Cells
4. Choose Custom
5. Type mmmm yyyy
6. Click OK
7. → This will display January 2026 while still allowing sorting and formulas

Option 2: Keep it as text

1. Type 'January 2026 (include the leading apostrophe)

     2. → Excel will treat it as text and will not reformat it

Microsoft Docs: Format a date the way you want in Excel

Format the cell(s) where you want to enter January 2026 and the like as Text then enter January 2026...

Other way, precede January 2026 with an apostrophe: 'January 2026