I imported data that came back erroneously in a date format (ex. 01-01-01). I
actually need the data as it appears with the dashes inserted. When I copy
and paste special as a value, it gives me the whole number that is equivalent
to the date (ex. 36892). How can I convert the cell to a text as it appears?
I need to concatenate it with another cell.

G'day Keith

I'm assuming your importing as PasteSpecial.Value. Which means it pastes the
actual Time.Value, which in this case is 36892.

Highlight the entire column in question.
Goto: FormatCell | Number | Custom
Enter: mm-dd-yy

or if you prefer dd-mm-yy

HTH
Mark.

If you want the pasted cell to look pretty, you can format the cell (like Mark
wrote).

But you don't need to format that cell to see a date in the concatenation
formula. In fact, it won't help either way. You'll still need a formula like:

="this is a formula that includes a date: " & text(a1,"mm/dd/yyyy")
& char(10) & "and some money cells, too: " & text(b1,"$#,##0.00")



Keith X. Terrell wrote:

I imported data that came back erroneously in a date format (ex. 01-01-01). I
actually need the data as it appears with the dashes inserted. When I copy
and paste special as a value, it gives me the whole number that is equivalent
to the date (ex. 36892). How can I convert the cell to a text as it appears?
I need to concatenate it with another cell.

--

Dave Peterson

When you import the data, specify that column (in the import wizard) as
being Text, not General.
--
David Biddulph

"Keith X. Terrell" <Keith X. wrote in
message ...
I imported data that came back erroneously in a date format (ex. 01-01-01).
I
actually need the data as it appears with the dashes inserted. When I copy
and paste special as a value, it gives me the whole number that is
equivalent
to the date (ex. 36892). How can I convert the cell to a text as it
appears?
I need to concatenate it with another cell.