Final answer:
To prevent Excel from converting numbers to dates, format the cells as text before entering data or use an apostrophe before the number. You can also change the format back to text if Excel has already altered your data.
Step-by-step explanation:
To stop Excel from turning numbers into dates, you can preformat the cells before entering data or use an apostrophe before typing the number. This is a common issue when inputting data like '1-2' which Excel might interpret as January 2nd. Here's how you can prevent this automatic formatting:
- Before entering data, select the cells that will contain numbers, right-click, choose 'Format Cells,' then select 'Text' as the category. This prevents Excel from applying any other formatting to the numbers you enter.
- If you're typing data and notice Excel is converting it to a date, type an apostrophe (') before the number (e.g., '1-2). This indicates to Excel that the entry should be treated as text, not a date.
- If Excel has already converted your numbers to dates, you can undo it by highlighting the affected cells, going to 'Format Cells,' and selecting 'Text' under the Number tab.
These steps should keep your numbers in their intended format without Excel altering them.