If you import the .csv file using Data|Import external data (xl2003 menus),
you'll be able to specify that this field should be treated as text -- and excel
won't change it.

You could also rename the .csv file to .txt and use File|Open. You'll see that
familiar text to columns wizard where you can specify that the field should be
treated as text.



Martha wrote:

I have a file that associates codes that look like dates (OCT26 for example)
with a Saints Day. When I export to excel via .csv, it looks like 26-Oct, and
if I then pull the cell over into another worksheet, I get the number date
code 40112. The column is defined as TEXT. I need to compare the codes to
the table via VLOOKUP, so I can disply the description in the report. Is
there anyway to tell Excel not to try to make this code a date? (I did try
the ' suggestion, but it doesn't work in this case).
Martha

--

Dave Peterson