Once you enter the number; if that is getting changed to date format press
CTRL+SHIFT+~ to return that back to general format..

If you want to trun this feature OFF you can uncheck

In XL2003: ToolsOptionsEdit'Extend data range formats and formulas'

In XL2007: OfficeButtonExcel OptionsAdvancedUnder 'Editing
Options''Extend data range formats and formulas' is checked


If this post helps click Yes
---------------
Jacob Skaria


"Seth Hill" wrote:

In my spreadsheet, I sometimes enter a date format (11/04/2009) in some
cells, but I often want to enter a simple number format in the cell below
(12345). But Excel copies the date format from the cell above, so when I
enter a simple number, it appears as a date. Then I have to select that cell
and go re-set the format back to simple number format. It also copies the
color of the fill from the cell above, which I also don't want.

I tried pre-setting all the cells in that column to simple number, but that
doesn't work; when I enter a simple number below a cell where I entered a
date format, it still changes the new cell into date format, and also copies
the background fill color of the cell above.

Any help would be appreciated.