Excel format date as yyyy mm dd

What is the Date Format in Excel?

In Excel, a date is displayed according to the format selected by the user. One can choose from the different formats available or create a customized format according to the requirement. The default date format is specified in the “Control Panel” of the system. However, it is possible to change these default settings.

For example, the date 01/01/2021 corresponds to the format dd/mm/yyyy. If the format is changed to d-mmm-yyyy, the date becomes 1-Jan-2021.

We can change the date format in Excel either from the “Number Format” of the “Home” tab or the “Format Cells” option of the context menu.

In Excel for Windows, 1900 is the default date system. Whereas, in Excel for Mac, 1904 is the default date system. Both these systems store the dates as consecutive numbers having a difference of 1. These numbers are known as serial values or serial numbers. The reason dates are stored as serial numbers is to facilitate calculations.

In the 1900 date system, the first date that Excel recognizes is January 1, 1900. This date is stored as the number 1 in Excel. Consequently, the number 2 represents January 2, 1900. The last date recognized by Excel is December 31, 9999. It is represented by the serial number 2958465. Date before 1900 or after 9999 is identified as a text value by Excel.

Dates are stored only as positive integers in the 1900 date system. However, to display negative numbers as negative dates, one needs to switch to the 1904 date system.

In the 1904 date system, 0 represents January 1, 1904, and -1 means January -2, 1904. The number 1 represents January 2, 1904. The last date recognized by Excel (in the 1904 date system) is December 31, 9999, represented by the serial number 2957003.

In this article, we follow the 1900 date system.

Code of Date Format in Excel

A code (like dd-mm-yyyy) is a representation of a day (d), month (m), and year (y). We can change the appearance of the date by changing the specified code.

The different codes, their explanation, and output (for days, months, and years) have been presented in the following images.

Notations for a Day

Notations for a Month

Notations for a Year

How to Change Date Format in Excel?

Here we look at some of the date format examples in Excel and how to change them.

Example #1–Apply Default Format of Long Date in Excel

The following image shows a number in cell A1. We want to know the date represented by this number. The output should be in the long date format of Excel.

You can download this Change Date Format Excel Template here – Change Date Format Excel Template

Example #2–Change the Date Excel Format Using “Custom” Option

The following image shows some dates in the range A1:A6. These dates are in the format dd-mm-yyyy. We want to change their format to dd-mmmm-yyyy.

For instance, the date in cell A1 should appear as 25-February-2018. We may use the “Custom” option of the “Format Cells” dialog box.

The steps to change the date format in Excel are listed as follows:

Step 1: We need to select all the dates of the range A1:A6. The same is shown in the following image.

Step 2: We must right-click the selection and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu. Alternatively, we may also press the keys “Ctrl+1” together.

Step 3: The “Format Cells” window opens, as shown in the following image.  

Note: The default short date and long date formats are marked with an asterisk (*) in the box under “type.” The short date is 3/14/2012 (m/dd/yyyy), and the long date is Wednesday, March 14, 2012 (dddd, mmmm dd, yyyy).

Step 4: From the “Number” tab, we need to select “Custom” under “Category.” The categories are shown on the left side of the “Format Cells” window.

Step 5: Under “Type,” we must insert the required date format. Either type the format (dd-mmmm-yyyy) or select it from the various options displayed in the box below “Type.”

Once the format has been entered, check the preview of the first date (of the range A1:A6) under “Sample.” The same is shown in the following image. Click “OK” in the “Format Cells” window if the date preview looks good.

Note 1: The date under “Sample” is displayed according to the format specified under “Type.”

Note 2: While creating custom date formats, we can use a forward slash (/), hyphen (-), comma (,), space ( ), etc.

Step 6: The output is shown in the following image. All dates of the range A1:A6 have been converted to the format dd-mmmm-yyyy. However, the Excel formula bar can still see the default date format. This default format corresponds with the short date set in the “Control Panel.”

Example #3–Apply Different Types of Customized Date Formats in Excel

The next image shows certain dates in the range A1:A6. At present, the date format is dd-mm-yyyy.

We want to apply four different formats to these dates. For using each format, the common steps to be performed are given as follows:

1. First, we must select the range A1:A6.
2. Then, right-click the selection and choose “Format Cells.”
3. After that, from the “Number” tab, select “Custom” under “Category.”

Further, under each format, the additional steps to be performed followed by two images are given.

Format 1: dd-mmm-yyyy

1. In the “Custom” option of the “Number” tab, select the format “dd-mmm-yyyy” under “Type.”
2. Click “Ok.”

The output is given in the following image. All dates are displayed according to the format dd-mmm-yyyy. The hyphen is the separator between the day, month, and year in this format.

Format 2: dd mmm yyyy

1. We must select the format “dd mmm yyyy” under “Type” of the “custom” option.
2. Click “Ok.”

The output is given in the following image. All dates are converted to the format dd mmm yyyy. The space is the only separator between the day, month, and year in this format.

Format 3: ddd mmm yyyy

1. In the “Custom” option, select the format “ddd mmm yyyy” under “Type.”
2. Click “Ok.”

The output is given in the following image. The dates are shown in the format ddd mmm yyyy. The day and the month are displayed in their short notations in this format.

Format 4: dddd mmmm yyyy

1. From the “Custom” option of the “Number” tab, select “dddd mmmm yyyy” under “Type.”
2. Click “Ok.”

The output is given in the following image. All dates have been converted to the format dddd mmmm yyyy. The date, month, and year are displayed in their respective full forms in this format.

It must be observed that the date format changes as per the style set by the user. Therefore, the user can select a date format according to their convenience.

Example #4–Convert Text Values Representing Dates to Actual Dates

The following image shows a list of dates in the range A1:A6. At present, these dates are appearing as text values. We want to convert these text values to dates having the format dd-mmm-yyyy.

The steps to convert text values to dates having the given format are listed as follows:

Step 1: First, enter the following formula in cell B1.

“=VALUE(A1)”

Then, press the “Enter” key.

Note 1: The VALUE functionIn Excel, the value function returns the value of a text representing a number. So, if we have a text with the value $5, we can use the value formula to get 5 as a result, so this function gives us the numerical value represented by a text.read more returns the numeric form of a text string that represents a number. In other words, it converts a number looking like the text into an actual number.

Note 2: Instead of the VALUE function, one can also use the DATEVALUE functionThe DATEVALUE function in Excel shows any given date in absolute format. This function takes an argument in the form of date text normally not represented by Excel as a date and converts it into a format that Excel can recognize as a date.read more of Excel. The latter converts a date stored as text to a serial number. This serial number is recognized as a date by Excel.

Step 2: We must select cell B1 and drag the fill handle until cell B6. The output is shown in the following image. All text values (A1:A6) have been converted to numbers (in the range B1:B6).

Ideally, the text string in Excel is left-aligned while the number string is right-aligned. However, we have centrally aligned both the ranges (A1:A6 and B1:B6).

Note: When text strings representing dates have been converted to serial values (or dates), we can use them for performing different calculations like addition, subtraction, and so on.

Step 3: To view the obtained serial numbers (in column B) as dates, apply the required format. We must select the range B1:B6, right-click and choose “Format Cells.”

In the “Number” tab, select the option “Custom.” Then, under “Type,” enter or choose the format “dd-mmm-yyyy.” The same is shown in the following image.

If the sample date looks alright, click “OK.”

Step 4: The output is shown in the following image. Hence, all text values (of column A) have been converted to valid dates (in column B) having the format dd-mmm-yyyy.

Note: To ensure that a value is recognized as a date by Excel, check for the following signs:

• The dates are right-aligned as they are numerical values.
• If two or more dates are selected, the status bar (at the bottom of the worksheet) shows the count, average, numerical count, and sum. In addition, it may display one or more options according to the Excel version.

If a value is a text string, it would be left-aligned, and the status bar will show only the count.

Often, the Excel date format needs to be changed (from text to dates) when data is downloaded (or copied and pasted) from the web. That is because, in such instances, the dates may not be displayed as numbers.

Example #5–Change the Date Format Using “Find and Replace” Box

The following image shows some text values representing dates in the range A1:A6. The days, months, and numbers have been separated with a backslash. That is because we want to perform the following tasks:

• Replace all the backslashes () with forwarding slashes (/) by using the “Find and Replace” dialog box.
• Convert text values representing dates to actual dates.

The steps to perform the given tasks are listed as follows:

Step 1: We must press the keys “Ctrl+H” together. Then, the “find and replace” dialog box opens, as shown in the following image.

Step 2: Type a backslash in the “Find what” box (). In the “Replace with” box, type a forward slash (/).

Step 3: Next, we must click “Replace All.” Excel shows a message stating the number of replacements it has made. Click “OK” to proceed. The final output is shown in the following image.

Hence, all backslashes have been replaced with forwarding slashes. With this replacement, the text values representing dates have automatically been converted to actual dates by Excel.

Since column A was aligned centrally from the beginning, this alignment is retained even after the values are converted to dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Articles

This article has been a guide to the Date Format in Excel. We discuss changing and customizing date formats in Excel, practical examples, and a downloadable Excel template. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel: –

• Concatenate Columns in Excel
• Convert Date to Text in Excel
• Insert Date in Excel
• Concatenate Date in Excel

The standard date format in the UK is different for the US. In the UK, dates are formatted dd/mm/yyyy (day/month/year), whereas in the US, dates are formatted mm/dd/yyyy (month/day/year). If you want to switch from one format to another, you can do that using the desktop and web versions of Microsoft Excel. And in this guide, we’ll show you how!

How to change the date format in Excel from mm/dd/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy (desktop):

1. Open your Excel desktop application.
2. Select the cell, row, or column that you want to change in your spreadsheet.
3. Press Ctrl+1 or click “Home,” then click the pop out icon in the “Number” section.
4. Click on “Custom” at the bottom of the left menu.
5. Select “dd/mm/yyyy” from the list.
6. Click “OK.”

How to change the date format in Excel from mm/dd/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy (web):

1. Go to office.com and open Excel.
2. Select the cell, row, or column that you want to change in your spreadsheet.
3. Press Ctrl+1 or click “Home,” click the select box in the “Number” section, then select “More Number Formats” at the bottom of the list.
4. Click the dropdown box under “Locale (Location).”
5. Select “English (United Kingdom)” from the dropdown box.
6. Then select “14/03/2012” from the “Type” list.
7. Click “OK.”

Please continue reading for a detailed, step-by-step guide on changing the date format in Excel.

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How are dates formatted in Excel?

Dates in Excel are referred to as “Serial numbers” and can be stored in long or short-form, as well as numeric values. A simple way to convert or format a date is to use the TEXT function. For example, the function =TEXT(A1, “dddd”) would return “Sunday” if the date in the “A1” cell was “01/01/2023.”

Date / Time	Format	Result
01/01/2023	d	1
01/01/2023	dd	01
01/01/2023	ddd	Sun
01/01/2023	dddd	Sunday
01/01/2023	m	1
01/01/2023	mm	01
01/01/2023	mmm	Jan
01/01/2023	mmmm	January
01/01/2023	mmmmm	J
01/01/2023	y	23
01/01/2023	yy	23
01/01/2023	yyy	2023
01/01/2023	yyyy	2023
1:05:06 AM	h	1
1:05:06 AM	hh	01
1:05:06 AM	h:m	1:5
1:05:06 AM	h:mm	1:05
1:05:06 AM	hh:mm	01:05
1:05:06 AM	s	6
1:05:06 AM	ss	06
1:05:06 AM	hh:mm:ss AM/PM	01:05:06 AM

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Method 1: Format dates using a custom format (Desktop)

To demonstrate this method, we’ve created a spreadsheet in Excel with a list of US-formatted dates. You can still follow along if the dates in your spreadsheet are listed differently. However, you will need the desktop version of Microsoft Excel for the steps below.

The same effect can be achieved in the web version of Excel using a slightly different process.

• First, open the desktop version of Excel and the workbook containing your dates.
• Then, select all the cells you want to format.

• Notes:
  • A simple way to select cells is to click and drag over them.
  • Alternatively, you can select the entire row or column.
  • Or select individual cells by pressing Ctrl + click.

• Then, with your cells selected, press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard.
• Alternatively, click on the pop out icon in the “Number” section in the “Home” tab.

• Next, click on “Custom” at the bottom of the left menu.
• Then select “dd/mm/yyyy” from the “Type” list.
• You can also manually type in the format of your choice into the text bar.
• Click “OK” to finish.

By formatting the whole column instead of individual rows, any additional dates entered into that column will be changed from mm/dd/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy automatically. You can also use the same process to change a date from dd/mm/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy. Please view the image below:

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Method 2: How to change the date format in Excel from mm/dd/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy using a custom format (Web)

• First, go to office.com and open Excel.
• Open the workbook containing your dates.
• Select the cells that you want to format.

• Notes:
  • A simple way to select cells is to click and drag over them.
  • Alternatively, you can select the entire row or column. (1)
  • Or select individual cells by pressing Ctrl + click.

• With the cells selected, press Ctrl + 1.
• Alternatively, click the dropdown box in the “Number” section. (2)
• Then select “More Number Formats” at the bottom of the list. (3)

• Click the dropdown box under “Locale (Location).” (1)
• Select “English (United Kingdom)” from the dropdown box. (2)
• Then select “14/03/2012” from the “Type” list. (3)

• Click the “OK” button, and your dates will change from mm/dd/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy.
• To reverse the process, select “English (United States)” as the location.
• Then select “*3/14/2012” from the “Type” list.

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Method 3: How to change date format in Excel from mm/dd/yyyy to dd/mm/yyyy using a formula (Desktop & Web)

If you want to change an mm/dd date to a dd/mm date in the web version of Excel, you can do that by using the TEXT function. Please follow the steps below to learn how.

• First, go to office.com and open Excel, or open your Excel desktop application.
• Open your workbook and select an empty cell on the same row or adjacent to your date.
• Then, type the following formula into the cell:

=TEXT(CELL, "dd/mm/yyyy")

Replace “CELL” with the cell address of your date (e.g., A1). If your dates are in a list, select an empty cell in the same row as the top date.

• Once you’ve typed in the formula, press the Enter key.
• Click the formula cell and hover over the corner until you see a black plus symbol.
• Then click and drag the function down next to all your dates.

The dates in Column A will automatically appear in Column B with the format changed from the US standard (mm/dd/yyyy) to the UK standard (dd/mm/yyyy).

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Method 4: Change the short date format to a long-form date in Excel with st, nd, and rd (Desktop & Web)

So far, we’ve covered how to convert an mm/dd date into a dd/mm date, but there are other interesting ways of formatting dates in Excel. You can’t add st, nd, and rd to the days of the month using a single function, but you can achieve that effect using a formula.

We’re going to turn “1/20/2023” into “Friday 20th January 2023.”

• First, go to office.com and open Excel, or open your Excel desktop application.
• Open your workbook and select an empty cell on the same row or adjacent to your date.
• Then, type the following formula into the cell:

=TEXT(CELL, "dddd d") &
IF(OR(DAY(CELL)=1, DAY(CELL)=21, DAY(CELL)=31), "st",
IF(OR(DAY(CELL)=2, DAY(CELL)=22), "nd",
IF(OR(DAY(CELL)=3, DAY(CELL)=23), "rd", "th"))) & 
TEXT(CELL, " mmmm yyyy ")

• Change “CELL” to the cell address (e.g., A1) where your first date is located.
• Then press the “Enter” key.

• Click the formula cell and hover over the corner until you see a black plus symbol.
• Then click and drag the function down next to all your dates.

The dates in Column A will automatically appear in Column B with the format changed from the US standard to a long format, including st, nd, and rd for the days of the month.

Conclusion

The best way to format mm/dd dates into dd/mm dates in Excel is to use Method 1 or 2, depending on whether you are using the desktop or web version. It would be ideal if your dates were listed in a single column, as you can format the whole column into dd/mm. That way, whenever you add a new date to the column, it will automatically change to the correct format.

Method 3 is ideal if you want to keep both the US (mm/dd) and UK (dd/mm) date formats in separate columns. But if you’re looking for readability, Method 4 is perfect!

Thank you for reading our guide.