Convert date entered as text to date format

[Larry038]

I inherited an excel spreadsheet with dates in a column.  They were entered as a text date and I am trying to change it to a true Date field.  Formating does not work.  I also tried to remove the (') in the field and that does not work.  I created a new column as a test to enter a few dates and it is using the same properties as the previous column.  How do I correct this?  I have thousands of dates and need them to filter properly.

[#2]

@Larry038 

Let's say the text dates are in D2 and down.

Select column D.

On the Data tab of the ribbon, click Text to Columns.

Click Next > two times.

In step 3 of the Text to Columns Wizard, select the date format that fits your data.

Click Finish.