Weekly Computer Tip # 313
2 July 2010

Convince Excel you want to type July 2010 (Excel 97-2007)

Have you ever struggled to convince Excel that you really, really want to enter, say, "July 2010" and not "Jul-10" what it normally defaults to?

Here's how:

1. Right-click the cell and select Format Cells.
2. Click on Custom in the Category box.
3. In the Type box, type mmmm yyyy.
4. Press ENTER.

If you autofill this cell (see http://www.roem.co.uk/tip_22.html if you cannot remember how) it will copy the text "July 2010" everywhere. But as long as you don't ignore the Auto Fill Options "smart tag", which appears in the bottom right corner of the last cell you dragged the fill handle to, you can choose Fill Months and hey presto!

Until next week.

PS I’m committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don’t keep me a secret. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit. Alternatively, feel free to reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards.

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