Coverting numbers to date format

To alter the initial values

Highlight the column in question and run Data -> Text to Columns -> Step 3 choose Date -> YMD and click Finish.

If you prefer to store dates in adjacent column

B1: =0+TEXT(A1,"0000\/00\/00")
copied down
(assumes your values are YYYYMMDD ie 20090309 for 9th March 2009 - ie leading zero for Month and Day when < 10)

You don't show how the data is being imported, so let me first remind you that if you are using any of the Excel import wizards, then you can tell Excel that the data in that column is DATES on the final Screen 3 of the import tool.

On that final screen, select the column with the dates, and select DATE: as the column data format, and select YMD as the data style.

Doing this will cause the data to arrive in your spreadsheet as a date.

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You can also do this manually. After the import:

1) Highlight the column of dates
2) Select Data > Text To Columns > Delimited > Next > Next
3) Select Column Data Format > Date: YMD > Finish

If that takes care of your need, be sure to EDIT your original post, click Go Advanced and mark the PREFIX box [SOLVED].


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