EXCEL DATE FORMAT WON'T APPLY A CHANGE

Question

When I change the date format in Excel, the change won't apply unless I click ENTER on every cell!  Help!  For example, I have the date as MM/DD/YYYY, but need to change it to DD/MM/YYYY or Sep-YYYY.  I've also tried using the Locale edit to change it an have the same problem.  I've tried reformatting the whole column, the doing a copy and paste "special" with only the values and that doesn't work either.  I checked for updates and I'm current.

Answer 1

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for the detailed information.

Since you mentioned that it worked on a new file, then the problem was related to this specific file, not Excel client.

About how to change the general data type to the date format, you can follow the below steps:

1. Select the range which you want to convert from “General” to “Date” format.
2. Click on Data tab and choose “Text to Columns” command.
3. Select “Delimited” option and click on the “Next” button. Again click on the “Next” button.
4. Select “YMD” format in the “Date” category and finally click on the “Finish” button. Now, you will get all selected range of cells are converted in to the date format in Excel.

Best regards,

Jazlyn

Answer 2

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for posting your query in our community.

Based on your description, when you try to change the date format in Excel, it will not apply to cells unless pressing Enter. I tested it on my side, however, there was no problem.

To check whether the problem is related to the specific file, could you please try to create a new Excel file and test whether you can change the date format without any problem? If the problem doesn't happen on the new created file, then the problem may be related to this specific file.

Additionally, could you please provide some information for us?

1. The screenshot of your Office version(open Excel>File>Account>capture a screenshot of the Product Information column)
2. A screenshot of your problem.

Best regards,

Jazlyn

Answer 3

Here is my product info.  I will try the scenario in a new file now and let you know.

Answer 4

You are correct - it worked in a new file.  But also, back in the original system-generated report file, I found that the "Birth Date" column was generated as GENERAL data type.  Me changing the format of the date in that column would not work.  But in the "Hire Date" and "Termination Date" columns, they had generated as DATE data type and when I executed a date format change, it worked.  The yellow fields are the ones I applied the format change to.  But then do you know how I can resolve the GENERAL data type fields to get them to allow the change to the date format?

Answer 5

Thank you!