Ok, how MatLab handles this isn't relevant; how Excel handles it is all that
matters here!

If the target cells are pre-formatted (ergo using a template) to receive their
expected data then both columns in your example will display correctly when
importing the text. AFAIC, anyone arbitrarily 'dumping' data into a default
blank worksheet that's not pre-designed to receive it needs schooling on how to
use Excel! (But then, what do I know?)

Since most other spreadsheets (at least those that claim to read/write Excel
formats) are compatible by attrition of competiveness with Excel, also handle
NumberFormats same as Excel does.

Numeric date formats are no longer viable because of OS/Local system formats
differing as per. People need to stop using them and use textual format where
the month is at least "mmm", regardless of which element it occupies. The
various spreadsheets will interpret correctly based on DateSerial.

--
Garry

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