Excel Cell format

[BenJMF]

I started a new Excel document, right clicked the cell I'm working in and checked the format which is set to general. I enter a range of "3-5000" in a cell and it automatically changes to "Mar-00". I again right click on the cell and change the format to back to general (it has changed itself to MMM-yy) and I get "1132313". I tried this on 2 different computers so I'm wondering if there is a setting that is causing this and where does the number "1132313" come from?

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

Why do Dates and Times seem to be so much trouble? faq68-5827

Skip,

_{[red]Be Advised![/red] The only distinction between a bird with one wing and a bird with two, is merely...
a difference of A Pinion!}

 

[AnotherHiggins]

When you enter 3-5000, Excel assumes you are entering a date: March 1 of the year 5000. Isn't that helpful of Excel?? For more information on why that date equals , see faq68-5827, "Why do Dates and Times seem to be so much trouble?".

You can get around this by entering '3-5000 (with a single quote in front of it). That will force the entry to text rather than a number. The single quote will not be displayed in the cell.

[tt]_____
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Help us help you. Please read FAQ181-2886 before posting.

 

[BenJMF]

Thanks for the info guys.