Change Column Formatting in Excel

Due to formatting defaults, Excel may open date columns in the General or Numeric format rather than automatically applying a Date style.

Follow the steps below to update the cell formatting to display standard dates and times in Excel or Google Sheets.

Excel Desktop Steps:

  • Open your file in the Excel desktop.

  • Click the column letter header at the top of the column (e.g., Column A) to select the entire column.

    •  image of excel spreadsheet or google sheet with column b selected and arrow pointing to the column B letter
  • On the Home tab in the top ribbon, then locate and click the  number drop down list.​​​​​
  • Here you can select an existing format or click "More Number Formats" to create your won.
    • Excel interface showing the Home tab's number format dropdown menu with Short Date and Long Date options highlighted.
       
  • The numbers will instantly turn into your chosen formatted dates.

Google Sheets (in Browser) Steps:

  • Open your file in Google Sheets.

  • Click the column letter header at the top of the column (e.g., Column A) to select the entire column.

    • image of excel spreadsheet or google sheet with column b selected and arrow pointing to the column B letter

  • In the top menu bar, click Format then hover over Number. 

    • Excel interface showing the Home tab's number format dropdown menu with Short Date and Long Date options highlighted.

  • Here you can select an existing format or click "Custom date and time" to create your won.

  • The numbers will instantly turn into formatted dates after.

 

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