I am pasting two columns into Excel...the first is supposed to be a date and
is in format YYYYMMDD, the second a simple integer...here's an example:

Date, Value

--------------------

20050120, 5
20051105, 6
20060213, 4


Each time I copy it into Excel and try to format it as a date, it gives me
only "############"

How can I convert this to show and act like a date so I can chart with it?

_____
DC G

I assume that the data is in two columns and that the comma in your
example is there just to separate the two items. If this is the case
then insert a new column B and in B1 enter the formula;

=VALUE(RIGHT(A1,2)&"/"&MID(A1,5,2)&"/"&LEFT(A1,4))

Format the cell as Date (dd/mm/yyyy) then copy down for as many values
as you have in column A. Then highlight the formulae in column B,
<copy, Edit | Paste Special | Values (check) and OK, followed by
<enter. Then you can delete column A.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Hi

One way
Mark the column of date cells.
DataText to ColumnsNextNext click Date radio buttonSelect YMD as
formatFinish
Widen the column so that you can see the date.
Works fine with UK Regional settings.

--
Regards

Roger Govier


"DC Gringo" wrote in message
...
I am pasting two columns into Excel...the first is supposed to be a
date and is in format YYYYMMDD, the second a simple integer...here's an
example:

Date, Value

--------------------

20050120, 5
20051105, 6
20060213, 4


Each time I copy it into Excel and try to format it as a date, it
gives me only "############"

How can I convert this to show and act like a date so I can chart with
it?

_____
DC G