How to Change Date Format in Excel
Microsoft Excel‘s feature is the ability to change the date format. Whether you’re dealing with international data or simply prefer a different style, Excel allows you to modify the date format with ease. This guide will walk you through the process of how to change the date format in Excel.
How to Change Date Format in Excel
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Select the Cells
The first step is to select the cells that contain the dates you want to change. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse over the cells. Alternatively, if you want to select all cells in a column, you can click on the column header. Keep in mind that Excel will only change the format of cells that contain dates. If a cell contains text or numbers, the format will not be changed.
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Open the Format Cells Dialog
Once you have selected the cells, you need to open the Format Cells dialog. You can do this by right-clicking on the selected cells and choosing ‘Format Cells’ from the context menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+1. The Format Cells dialog is where you can customize the appearance of your cells, including the date format.
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Choose a Date Format
In the Format Cells dialog, click on the ‘Number’ tab and then on ‘Date’ in the Category list. You will see a list of available date formats. Click on the one you want to use. The date formats are displayed in the format they will appear in your cells. This makes it easy to find the format you’re looking for.
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Apply the New Format
Once you have chosen a date format, click ‘OK’ to close the dialog. The new date format will be applied to the selected cells. If you want to apply the new date format to other cells, simply select them and repeat the process.
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FAQs
How do I change the date format in Excel?
Select the cells containing dates, right-click, choose “Format Cells,” and pick the desired date format from the Number tab.
Can I customize the date format to match my preference?
Use the custom format option in the Format Cells dialog to tailor the date display to your liking.
Why does Excel sometimes display dates as serial numbers?
Excel stores dates as serial numbers for calculations; format cells as dates to show them in a readable format.
Is there a shortcut for quickly changing date formats?
Yes, use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + # to apply the default date format quickly.
How can I ensure consistency in date formatting throughout my entire spreadsheet?
Apply the desired date format to one cell, then use the Format Painter tool to copy the format to other cells efficiently.