Changing Imported Date Formats

[Craig Lloyd]

Hi all,

I have set up an Excel Spreadsheet that imports data from a sql database using the 'external data' function.

The problem is that the dates being retrieved from the db are in the format 5/12/2005 12:29:59 AM

I have set excel to display the dates as short dates, ie 05/12/2005 without the time but whilst the date displays correctly if the cell is selected the original date format is still displayed.

This is preventing me from creating rules and using counting formulas etc

Can anyone help???? Please....

[Gary''s Student]

Remember that date/time is just a number.

When you see: 12/20/05 8:05 AM
the underlying number is 38706.3372719907

If you want to discard the time, use the =INT() function

--
Gary''s Student


"Craig Lloyd" wrote:

>
> Hi all,
>
> I have set up an Excel Spreadsheet that imports data from a sql
> database using the 'external data' function.
>
> The problem is that the dates being retrieved from the db are in the
> format 5/12/2005 12:29:59 AM
>
> I have set excel to display the dates as short dates, ie 05/12/2005
> without the time but whilst the date displays correctly if the cell is
> selected the original date format is still displayed.
>
> This is preventing me from creating rules and using counting formulas
> etc
>
> Can anyone help???? Please....
>
>
> --
> Craig Lloyd
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Craig Lloyd's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=29769
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=494842
>
>

[Vito]

Select the date range and go to Data|Text to Columns. Skip to the 3rd dialogue box and select the Date radio button and make sure the selected format is MDY. Click Finish.

[Craig Lloyd]

Gary - How do i use he INT function?

[Vito]

Gary - How do i use he INT function?

For that function, you will need to insert a helper column.

If you use the Date|Text to Columns method I suggested, you will not need to add a column. The changes are in place.

[Gary''s Student]

If A1 contains the date/time, then in another cell enter =INT(A1).
--
Gary''s Student


"Craig Lloyd" wrote:

>
> Gary - How do i use he INT function?
>
>
> --
> Craig Lloyd
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Craig Lloyd's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=29769
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=494842
>
>