Excel changes a date entry to an equation

[peterwclarke]

I have an old and frequently used LARGE spreadsheet that I cannot re-create in my remaining lifetime! Some of the cells on my "data-input page" are required to have DATES entered, but recently (can't remember WHEN it started) when I enter numbers such as 03/08/05 or 3/8/2005, Excel adds an "equals" sign to the front. The formula-bar contents are then =3/8/5 or =3/8/2005 respectively. In either case, the displayed result is 1/0/1900, since I have the cell formatted as "date" "3/14/2001" from the cell-formatting menu/dialog. Even if I delete the cell contents, then Edit-Clear-All or Edit-Clear-Formats, then re-enter either of the above examples, the result is the same on the formula-bar, except the displayed result is 0.075, and the cell-format gets changed to "Custom - General_)". I have tried all sorts of possible "cures" for this problem, to no avail, including copying the formatting from another cell (that WORKED in that cell). The ONLY way I can get the display to appear correctly is to put an apostophe or a space in front of the date-entry - I SHOULDN'T have to do this on thes few cells when I don't have to in others! What am I missing?
Thanks in advance of someone eliminating my extreme frustration!

[Ron Coderre]

That sounds like you have Lotus 1-2-3 transitions set up in Tools>Options>Transition Tab

Uncheck Transition Formula Evaluation
Uncheck Transition Formula Entry

Regards,
Ron

[peterwclarke]

Thanks a whole lot Ron! That was EXACTLY the problem. VERY much appreciate your helpful and SPEEDY response - my first use of this "tool" is VERY satisfying.