EXCEL · DATA SKILLS
Dates and number formats
Browse Excel lessons
- Excel for basic data analysis
- Cells and ranges
- Columns and readable headings
- Enter and edit cells
- Share files and embed objects
- Fill a series
- Save a practice copy
- Prepare data for analysis
- Dates and number formats
- Variables and score definitions
- Enter and check practice data
- Insert and delete rows
- AutoSum and totals
- Copy formulas with relative references
- Calculate the mean
- Calculate standard deviation
- Excel references and next steps
B2 is blank so you can enter a practice date of your choice. Verify the date after entry, then try the formatting steps below.
- Select B2.
- Use Home → Number Format to choose a date display.
- For an unambiguous custom display, use yyyy-mm-dd in the desktop Format Cells dialog.
Excel stores dates as numbers. Changing the display does not change the date itself. If you see ##### instead of a date, widen the column. Regional settings influence how typed dates are interpreted, so verify the year, month, and day after entry.
Reference: Microsoft Support. Menu names may vary by platform and update.