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Using dates with slashes, format mm/dd/yy, doesn't work

Anonymous
2020-03-22T19:51:12+00:00

I have just installed Office 2019 and when I try to handle dates I am not offered the mm/dd/yy format. I have tried different locales, but in all cases, the suggested formats all include hyphen and not slash. While I live in Canada, I have also tried United States formats. All show hyphens and none show slashes, contrary to any documentation I have seen.

I have existing sheets with that format and I do not want to convert everything over to a different, unnatural (for me) format. It is especially troubling when I try to update a sheet that was created in an earlier version.

See example:

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-03-22T20:05:49+00:00

    In Windows, click the Start button and start typing set regional format.

    You should soon see 'Set regional format' in the search results.

    Click on it.

    Does the 'Short date' format use - instead of / ?

    If so, click 'Change data formats' and select a format using /

    If that doesn't help:

    You can force Excel to use / by clicking Custom in the Category list, and specify mm/dd/yyyy in the Type box.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T20:00:52+00:00

    Hi John

    My name is David and I am an independent advisor and believe I can help with regards to your question.

    In Excel you can create custom data formats for your file: https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/format....

    See section: Create a custom date format.

    You can use whatever separator you want either "-" or "/".

    Please let me know if you have any queries or questions.

    Kind Regards

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-22T20:53:48+00:00

    Yes, the short date had hyphens and was easily changed to slash. Thank you very much.

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