I am having problems getting Excel to retain the formatting for a column.

When I realize its reformatting my data into a default date format, if i
change the format setting on the column/cell back to "text", it produces some
type of equation result (i.e. 30977 instead of 12/26/2006). Currently I have
to undo the action, and change each cell format individually and then retype
in my data.

I initially set the column to format "Text" so that it doesn't change the
format of my dates. The column contains dates in about three different
formats, and i need to retain the original format entered. It does fine
retaining the format, if i am directly entering data. but has problems if
its from a pasted source, or was directly entered prior to changing the
column format to "text.

1. is there a way to reformat the cell to text without the cell data being
changed?

2. When the cell data has been changed (i.e. 30977 instead of 12/26/2006),
is there a way to get back my originally entered data without re-entering the
data?

3. This problem is exacerbated when i have to paste in my data (often from a
Word document) either from another Excel document or a Word document - is
there anyway to prevent the column from reformatting itself on a paste in?