"Vince" wrote in message
...
"Heather" wrote:

I am trying to enter data into a cell using - between numbers for example
1-30-4400, excel is converting this number into a date, I can't change
the
way I enter this data, how can I make excel stop converting this?

I have the same problem with copying and pasting several columns some of
which have are of the type you describe. The data can't be changed by
including an ' because it is copied data. I have tried every type of
preformat and I have tried Paste and Special Paste but nothing works.

I have requested microsoft to change Excel so that automatic changes of
this
type can be switched off. I suggest you complain to microsoft or back up
my
request for change.

As others have answered, format the cells as text before you enter the data.
--
David Biddulph