How-To Guide: Formatting Excel Spreadsheet Data

When entering a date in an Excel spreadsheet, the date format may change to the default format, such as Jan. 21, 2008 or 1/21/2008. You can change the date to display a different format, such as 1/21/08, just:

• Highlight the cells containing the dates you want to change.
• Click Format on the Menu Bar.
• Choose Cells… A Format Cells dialog box will appear.
• Click on the Number tab.
• Under Category: choose Date.
• Under Type: choose the date option you would like to use in the worksheet.
• Click OK.
• When you return to the spreadsheet, the date should appear as the option you chose.

[Posted on February 5, 2008]