How to prevent Excel from changing numbers to dates

Typically Excel converts numbers (in form of 5/2) into dates. Preventing Excel from changing numbers to dates is important because it ensures that the data is accurately displayed and processed in the desired format. If Excel automatically changes a number to a date, it can cause errors in calculations or analysis and can lead to incorrect conclusions or decisions based on the data.

In our dataset that contains the names of students, we aim to add their corresponding GPA. However, we encounter the issue of Excel automatically converting numbers to dates. To resolve this problem, we have two methods: one is to modify the cell format, and the other is to use an apostrophe to inform Excel to treat the entry as text.

Method 1: Prevent Numbers from Changing into Dates by Changing the Cell Format

Step 1 – Select the Cell

• Click on the cell in which you want to put the parenthesis

Step 2 – Click On the Number Format option

• After selecting the cell, click on the Number Format option in the taskbar and a dialog box will appear

Step 3 – Click on the Text option

• In the dialog box Click on the Text option 
• After clicking on the Text option, click on the OK option to save the changes

Step 4 – Get the Result

• After applying the changes, numbers will not change to dates

Method 2:  Prevent Numbers from Changing into Dates by using an Apostrophe

Step 1 –  Select the Cell

• Click on the cell in which you want to put the parenthesis

Step 2 – Use an Apostrophe 

• After selecting the cell type an Apostrophe( ‘ ) in the cell

Step 3 – Get the Result

• After typing an apostrophe, numbers will not convert to date