Override date-format

[nsv]

From a database I import to Excel a large table of mostly name codes.
One of the codes is SEP01 for "Separator Type 1", but Excel thinks it is a date code and writes Sep-01 and stores the number 37135.
Oother types are like NovaZeck-08, abbreviated NOV08 and you can imagine how Excel interprets that.

Is there a way to avoid this confusion, eg a special set-up of Excel?


NSV

[NBVC]

When going through the import wizard, select that column in the Preview window of step 3 of the wizard. Then select Text from the column data format area. Continue on with the Wizard.

[nsv]

I'm afraid that is not possible as the file is delivered by the system as an Excel-file.
I hoped it would be possible to set up Excel in a way that it converted date formats to text, but I am not optimistic.

Thanks for your suggestetion anyway.


NSV

[NBVC]

Another suggestion might be to add a temporary helper column with a formula such as:

=TEXT(G1,"mmmyy")

Where G1 contains the first code and copy that formula down... you can then copy that column and paste Special >> Values over the original column and delete the temporary column

[nsv]

Yes, it works - thanks for the advice.

NSV