Format cell to custom but it wont hold it

[RICKEY160]

I format a cell to "general" and I put two numbers in the cell separated with a /.

It will hold the "general" format until the numbers I input corresponds to months of the year, then it automatically changes the format to "custom" and changes the numbers to month-day. 

How do I stop this?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

@RICKEY160 Format the cell(s) as text first if you don't want Excel to automatically switch to what Eit thinks you want to use as a format.

[#3]

Thanks, that works. applicate your help.