Actually the word "ambiguous" is incorrect.

More like if larger number is greater than 12 then Excel interprets that
number as a year depending upon Regional settings being dd/mmm'yy


Gord

On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:37:53 -0800, Gord Dibben <gorddibbATshawDOTca wrote:

What you see depends upon your Regional Settings

Mine are set for dd/mmm/yy

I type 1/17 and formula bar shows jan 1, 2017

I type 17/1 and formula bar shows jan 17, 2009

1/12 shows dec 1, 2009

1/13 shows jan 1, 2013

See the pattern?

If the month/day are ambiguous, Excel chooses from the Regional settings

There is no 17th month so Excel thinks that must be the year.


Gord

On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:36:00 -0800, pete5440
wrote:

If I highlight A2 (A1 is my column heading) the formula box shows 1/1/2008. I
have never set up the year and there is no formula set up as I have only ever
added the month/day as "1/17"

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

Oldest to Newest must be a 2007 function.

I am not familiar with it.

I still believe you do not have real dates but perhaps 2007 treats these
differently than earlier versions.


Gord

On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:04:00 -0800, pete5440
wrote:

If my numbers are "text" why are my sort options "Oldest to Newest" and not
"A-Z"? This sounds like the simpler method but how do I let excel know this
is (supposed to be) text?