When it comes to working with Excel, one of the common tasks is dealing with dates. Sometimes, the default format of dates may not be suitable for your needs, and you may need to modify it to fit the requirements of your project or presentation. In this article, we will show you how to change the format of dates in Excel and convert them to text using some easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Identify the Date Format
Before we start working on changing the date format, it is essential to understand what is the current format of your date values in Excel. Some of the commonly used formats include:
- mm/dd/yyyy
- dd/mm/yyyy
- m/d/yyyy
- d/m/yyyy
- yyyy-mm-dd
To identify the format, you can select the date cell(s) and look at the formula bar at the top. Alternatively, you can right-click on the cell(s), select “Format Cells,” and then go to the “Number” tab to check the format.
Step 2: Change Date Format
Once you have identified the format, you can proceed to change it to your desired format. Here are the steps to change the format:
- Select the date cell(s) that you want to modify.
- Right-click on the selected cell(s) and choose “Format Cells.”
- In the “Number” tab, select “Custom” from the “Category” list.
- In the “Type” box, enter your preferred format code.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
For example, if you want to change the date format from “mm/dd/yyyy” to “dd-mm-yyyy,” you can enter “dd-mm-yyyy” in the “Type” box. Here are some other commonly used format codes:
- dd mmmm yyyy – displays the month name instead of the month number (e.g., 27 May 2022).
- d/m/yy – displays a two-digit year (e.g., 27/5/22).
- d-mmm – displays the abbreviated month name (e.g., 27-May).
- ddd – displays the day of the week (e.g., Fri).
Step 3: Convert Dates to Text in Excel
Sometimes, you may need to convert date values to text in Excel to use them in other applications or systems that do not recognize Excel’s date format. Converting dates to text can also prevent formatting issues when sharing files with others who may have a different date format preference.
Here are the steps to convert dates to text in Excel:
- Select the cell(s) that contain the date values you want to convert.
- Press “Ctrl+1” to open the “Format Cells” dialog box.
- Select “Text” from the “Category” list.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
Alternatively, you can use the TEXT function to convert dates to text. The TEXT function allows you to specify the format code to use for the output text. Here is the syntax for using the TEXT function:
=TEXT(date_value, format_code)
For example, if you have a date value in cell A1 and you want to convert it to the format “dd/mm/yyyy,” you can use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1, “dd/mm/yyyy”)
FAQs
What if I have multiple date cells that I need to modify?
You can select multiple cells at once and follow the same steps to change the date format or convert dates to text. Alternatively, you can use the Format Painter tool to apply the same format to multiple cells quickly.
Can I use custom date formats in Excel?
Yes, you can create custom date formats in Excel using a combination of format codes. To create a custom date format, follow the same steps to open the “Format Cells” dialog box and select the “Custom” category. In the “Type” box, enter your custom format code using the available format codes and separators. For example, if you want to display the date as “Friday, May 27th, 2022,” you can enter the following format code: “dddd, mmmm d\, yyyy.”
Video Tutorial: Changing the Date Format in Excel
Check out this video tutorial on how to change the date format in Excel:
