To stop Excel from changing numbers into dates, format the cells as Text before you type: select the cells, press Ctrl + 1, choose Text on the Number tab, and click OK. For a single entry, type an apostrophe first, like ‘3-4. The apostrophe doesn’t show in the cell. For fractions, type a zero and a space first, like 0 1/2.
Formatting cells after Excel has already converted a value won’t bring back the original text. Below you’ll learn how to prevent conversions, fix values that already changed, and import CSV files without losing data.
Method 1: Format cells as Text first
- Select the cells or column where you’ll type the values.
- Press Ctrl + 1, or right-click and choose Format Cells.
- On the Number tab, click Text.
- Click OK, then type your entries.
You can also choose Text from the Number Format dropdown on the Home tab.
Method 2: Type an apostrophe
Start the entry with an apostrophe, such as ‘1-2 or ‘00123. Excel keeps it as text and hides the apostrophe. A small green triangle may appear. Click it and choose Ignore Error if it bothers you.
Method 3: Enter fractions correctly
Type 0, a space, and the fraction, like 0 3/4. Excel stores it as the number 0.75 and shows 3/4, instead of turning it into March 4.
Method 4: Turn off automatic data conversion (Microsoft 365)
Newer versions of Excel for Microsoft 365 include File > Options > Data > Automatic data conversion, where you can turn off conversions such as removing leading zeros or converting long numbers to scientific notation. The available options vary by version, so check which ones you have.
How to import a CSV without date conversion
- Open a blank workbook and click Data > From Text/CSV.
- Select the file and click Transform Data.
- In Power Query, select the affected column, and choose Data Type > Text. Choose Replace current if asked.
- Click Close & Load.
Double-clicking a CSV file opens it with automatic conversion, which is where most unwanted dates come from.
Fix values that already turned into dates
Excel stores converted dates as numbers, so the original text is usually gone. Undo right away with Ctrl + Z, or re-enter the values after formatting the cells as Text. If you still have the original file (like a CSV), re-import it using the steps above.
To switch to day-first dates, see changing Excel dates to dd/mm/yyyy.
For barcodes, see how to format UPC codes in Excel.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Excel change numbers to dates?
Excel tries to guess what you’re typing. Entries with slashes or dashes, like 1/2 or 3-4, look like dates to it.
Can I stop date conversion for the whole workbook?
Not completely. Format the columns you use as Text, or use the Automatic data conversion options in Microsoft 365.
Does Google Sheets do this too?
Yes. Use Format > Number > Plain text, or start with an apostrophe.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.