Jun 08 2021 05:28 AM
How to stop the auto formating of number, eg - 02-02 to date?. I'm aware I can change the format or use apostrophes while typing, however while using filter it is still
Jun 08 2021 06:41 AM
Excel for Microsoft 365 Excel for the web Excel 2019 Excel 2016 Excel 2013 Excel 2010
Microsoft Excel is preprogrammed to make it easier to enter dates. For example, 12/2 changes to 2-Dec. This is very frustrating when you enter something that you don't want changed to a date. Unfortunately there is no way to turn this off. But there are ways to get around it.
Preformat the cells you want to enter numbers into as Text. This way Excel will not try to change what you enter into dates.
If you only have a few numbers to enter, you can stop Excel from changing them into dates by entering:
A space before you enter a number. The space remains in the cell after you press Enter. (See Notes)
An apostrophe (‘) before you enter a number, such as ’11-53 or ‘1/47. The apostrophe isn’t displayed in the cell after you press Enter.
A zero and a space before you enter a fraction such as 1/2 or 3/4 so that they don’t change to 2-Jan or 4-Mar, for example. Type 0 1/2 or 0 3/4. The zero doesn’t remain in the cell after you press Enter, and the cell becomes the Fraction number type.
Windows:
Select the cells that you’ll enter numbers into.
Press Ctrl + 1 (the 1 in the row of numbers above the QWERTY keys) to open Format Cells.
Select Text, and then click OK.
Web:
Select the cells you want to enter numbers into.
Click Home > Number Format > Text.
otes:
We recommend using an apostrophe instead of a space for entering data if you plan on using lookup functions against the data. Functions like MATCH or VLOOKUP overlook the apostrophe when calculating the results.
If a number is left-aligned in a cell that usually means it isn’t formatted as a number.
If you type a number with an “e” in it, such as 1e9, it will automatically result in a scientific number: 1.00E+09. If you don’t want a scientific number, enter an apostrophe before the number: ‘1e9
Depending on the number entered, you may see a small green triangle in the upper left corner of the cell, indicating that a number is stored as text, which to Excel is an error. Either ignore the triangle, or click on it. A box will appear to the left. Click the box, and then select Ignore Error, which will make the triangle go away.
I would be happy to know if I could help with this information.
I wish you continued success with your Computer
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
* Kindly Mark and Vote any reply if it helps please, as it will be beneficial to more Community members reading here.
Jun 08 2021 07:09 AM
Jun 08 2021 08:55 AM
Worksheet compatibility issues
It could be a lot, from regional settings to the fact that the worksheet is from an earlier version and this leads to compatibility problems.
It is best to send the file (without sensitive data) to see exactly where the error could be.
Knowing the Excel version as well as the operating system would be an advantage for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding and patience
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)
Jun 14 2021 08:12 AM
@NikolinoDE Thank you for your response. I have attached a sheet for your reference. I changed the format for column A to display '01-02', however when I try to filter, it is still showing as complete date.
Jun 14 2021 09:15 AM
Stop automatically changing numbers to dates
If you only have a few numbers to enter, you can stop Excel from changing them into dates by entering:
A space before you enter a number. The space remains in the cell after you press Enter. (See Notes)
An apostrophe (‘) before you enter a number, such as ’11-53 or ‘1/47. The apostrophe isn’t displayed in the cell after you press Enter.
A zero and a space before you enter a fraction such as 1/2 or 3/4 so that they don’t change to 2-Jan or 4-Mar, for example. Type 0 1/2 or 0 3/4. The zero doesn’t remain in the cell after you press Enter, and the cell becomes the Fraction number type.
Nikolino
I know I don't know anything (Socrates)