Check the number and date settings in Windows Regional Options (in Control
Panel). I think you'll find that those settings differ between your two
machines.

Format Cells affects how a number is *displayed* in Excel once it has been
stored, but it is Windows Regional Options that governs how the number is
interpreted when you type it in.
--
David Biddulph

"Harry Nopter" wrote in message
...
I appreciate your effort but nothing comes up in the replace-with box! My
question shouldn't surprise you. I found a few people having exactly the
same
question with me while I was trying to find an answer by searching in
forums,
e.g. :

http://www.computing.net/answers/off...rect/5180.html
http://geekswithblogs.net/Patware/ar.../11/56647.aspx
http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/.../msg01106.html
http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251103

But no answer is correct. The thing is that I did exactly the same task in
another computer and I had no problem! 3.8 was not converted to 3-Aug-09.
It
was recognized as a number. How can I disable this feature?


"Mike H" wrote:

Hi,

I'm a bit surprised that Excel is interpreting 3.8 as a date but if it is
the only way i can replicate it is if somehow you have managed to get an
autocurrect option set for changing . to / so try this.

Tools|Autocorrect options

Type . in the replace box and if anything comes up in the replace-with
box
delete the entry.

Mike

"Harry Nopter" wrote:

When I insert a decimal number (e.g. 3.8) in a cell, then it is
automatically
shown as a date (e.g. 3-Aug-09), even if I put the number's format (at
"cell
format") in the number or in the general format option. I have the 2003
Office. How can I disable this automatic feature?