Date Format in Excel

Introduction to Excel Date Format

Excel can conduct computations with dates because it stores dates as serial numbers. As dates are essentially just numbers that record the number of days that have elapsed from a particular point in time, Excel uses serial numbers to store dates. That date and time are January 1st, 1900, according to Excel. As a result, when you enter a date into an Excel field, you're actually putting a number that indicates how many days have passed since January 1st, 1900. That's why dates before this are not possible in Excel. But showing dates as serial numbers might be confusing and challenging to comprehend. Excel, therefore, offers a variety of choices for modifying the date format in Excel to meet your needs.

What is the default date format in Excel?

The default date format in Excel is mm/dd/yyyy. This means that when you enter a date in Excel, it will be automatically formatted as a date with the month first, then the day, and then the year. For example, if you enter the date "March 2, 2023" in a cell, it will be displayed as 03/02/2023 by default.

This default date format in Excel is used in the United States and some other countries that follow the month/day/year format. However, in many other countries, the date format in Excel is different. For example, in the United Kingdom, the standard date format is dd/mm/yyyy, with the day first, then the month, and then the year.

If you work with international data or with people from different countries, it is important to be aware of the different data formats used around the world. Excel provides various options for changing the date format to suit your needs, which we will explore in more detail in this article.

How to customize a date?

Customizing a date in Excel allows you to display the date in a format that is more meaningful and easier to understand. Excel stores date as serial numbers, which can be confusing and difficult to interpret at first glance. By customizing the date format, you can convert the serial number into a human-readable format that displays the date in a way that makes sense to you or your audience. Excel makes it quick and simple to customize a date. You can make it simpler to read and comprehend by altering the date format. Here's how to change the date format in Excel:-

1. Decide which cell or cells to format.
2. "Format Cells" can be chosen by performing a right-click on the selected cells.
3. From the "Category" list in the "Format Cells" dialogue box, choose "Date".

5. From the "Type" list, select the format you want.
6. To make the modifications, click "OK".

When formatting dates in Excel, there are several alternatives available, including mm/dd/yyyy, dd-mmm-yy, yyyy/mm/dd, and many more.

How to Convert Date to Number in Excel?

Converting a date to a number in Excel is useful when you need to perform calculations with dates. Here's how to convert the date format in Excel:-

1. Select the cell or cells you want to convert.
2. Right-click on the selected cells and select "Format Cells."
3. In the "Format Cells" dialog box, select "General" from the "Category" list.

5. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

Excel will convert the dates to serial numbers, which you can use in calculations.

How to Convert Date Format to Another Locale?

Working with data from different countries or regions can be a common occurrence, especially in today's world. However, one of the challenges that arise in such situations is the difference in date formats used in different regions. Dates can be formatted in many different ways, depending on the region and culture. Excel provides various options for customizing the date format in Excel to match the format used in different regions. By converting the date format to another locale, you can ensure that your data is correctly interpreted and avoid any confusion or errors. Here's how to change the date format in Excel:-

1. Decide which cell or cells to format.
2. "Format Cells" can be chosen by performing a right-click on the selected cells.
3. From the "Category" list in the "Format Cells" dialogue box, choose "Custom".
4. Enter the new date format in the new locale's syntax in the Type box. For instance, you can type dd/mm/yyyy in the Type box to change the date format to dd/mm/yyyy in the United Kingdom.

6. To make the modifications, click "OK".

The date format in Excel will be changed to the desired locale.

Why Your Date Format May Be Having Issues Changing?

If you're having issues changing the date format in Excel, it could be due to one of the following reasons:-

1. The cell may be formatted as text: If the cell is formatted as text, Excel will not recognize it as a date and will not be able to change the format.
2. The regional settings on your computer may be different: The regional settings on your computer determine the default date format in Excel. If the date format you are trying to apply does not match the regional settings, you may not be able to change the format.
3. The cell may contain a date that is outside of Excel's date range: Excel can only recognize dates that fall between January 1, 1900, and December 31, 9999. If the date you are trying to format falls outside of this range, you will not be able to change the format.
4. The cell may contain an invalid date: If the cell contains an invalid date, such as a string of text, Excel will not be able to recognize it as a date, and you will not be able to change the format.