Excel often changes an entry to a date because it interprets the value according to its number-recognition rules. To keep identifiers, fractions, codes, or date-like text exactly as entered, format the destination cells as Text before entering or pasting the values.
How to Stop Excel from Changing Entries into Dates
Step 1: Select the destination cells
Highlight the cells or column where you will enter the values.
Step 2: Change the number format to Text
On the Home tab, open the Number Format menu and choose Text.
Step 3: Enter or paste the values
Add the data after the Text format is in place. Excel should preserve entries such as product codes or date-like strings as text rather than converting them to date serial values.
Use an Apostrophe for an Individual Entry
For a one-off value, type an apostrophe before the entry, such as ‘1-2. Excel treats the value as text and normally does not display the leading apostrophe in the cell.
If Excel Already Converted the Value
Changing an already converted date cell to Text may reveal the underlying date serial number rather than reconstructing the original characters you typed. Undo the conversion immediately when possible, or recover the original value from the source data and re-enter it after setting the cell to Text.
Importing Data Is Different
When importing CSV or other structured data, use Excel’s import or Power Query controls to assign the affected column a text data type before conversion. This is especially important for IDs, account codes, leading zeros, and ambiguous date-like values.
Additional Information
If the values really are dates but merely display in the wrong style, keep them as dates and apply the desired date number format instead. Text should be used when the entry is not supposed to behave as a date in calculations.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.