Convert Date to Text in Excel: A Comprehensive Guide

How to convert date to text in Excel? Excel is a powerful tool for managing and analyzing data, but it can be frustrating when converting date values to text. Converting date values to text is a common task, and there are several ways to do it in Excel. In this article, we will explore different methods for converting dates to text in Excel.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Convert Date to Text in Excel?
3. Method 1: Using Text Function
4. Method 2: Using Format Cells Dialog Box
5. Method 3: Using CONCATENATE Function
6. Method 4: Using Custom Number Formatting
7. Method 5: Using Power Query
8. Method 6: Using VBA Macro
9. Conclusion
10. FAQs

1. Convert Date to Text in Excel: Introduction

Excel is a popular tool for managing data, widely used in different industries for various purposes. One of the common tasks in Excel is converting date values to text. Converting date values to text can be useful when you want to display dates in a specific format or when you want to use dates as part of a text string.

This article will discuss different methods for converting date values to text in Excel. We will cover both manual methods and automated methods using VBA macro and Power Query.

2. Convert Date to Text in Excel: Why Convert Dates to Text in Excel?

You might want to convert date values to text in Excel for several reasons. Some of the common reasons are:

• To display dates in a specific format
• To use dates as part of a text string
• To import data into other programs that do not support date formats
• To create custom reports or charts that require text instead of date formats

Now, let’s look at different methods for converting date values to text in Excel.

3. Method 1: Using Text Function

The Text function is a built-in function in Excel that converts a value to text in a specific format. To convert a date to text using the Text function, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or cells that contain the dates you want to convert.
2. Press Ctrl+1 to open the Format Cells dialogue box.
3. In the Number tab, select Custom from the Category list.
4. In the Type box, enter the format code for the date format you want to use. For example, if you want to display dates in the format “dd-mmm-yyyy”, enter “dd-mmm-yyyy” in the Type box.
5. Click OK.

The dates in the selected cells will now be displayed in the format you specified.

4. Method 2: Using Format Cells Dialog Box

The Format Cells dialog box can also be used to convert date values to text. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or cells that contain the dates you want to convert.
2. Press Ctrl+1 to open the Format Cells dialogue box.
3. In the Number tab, select Text from the Category list.
4. Click OK.

The dates in the selected cells will now be converted to text.

5. Method 3: Using CONCATENATE Function

The CONCATENATE function can combine date values with other text values. To convert a date to text using the CONCATENATE function, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell where you want to display the text value.
2. Type the following formula: =CONCATENATE(“Text value”, A1). Note: Replace “Text value” with the text you want to combine with the date value, and replace A1 with the cell that contains the date value.
3. Press Enter.

The date value in the selected cell will now be combined with the text you specified.

6. Method 4: Using Custom Number Formatting

Custom number formatting can also be used to convert date values to text. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or cells that contain the dates you want to convert.
2. Press Ctrl+1 to open the Format Cells dialogue box.
3. In the Number tab, select Custom from the Category list.
4. In the Type box, enter the format code for the date format you want. For example, if you want to display dates in the format “dd-mmm-yyyy”, enter “dd-mmm-yyyy” in the Type box, and then add the “@” symbol at the end of the format code.
5. Click OK.

The dates in the selected cells will now be converted to text.

7. Method 5: Using Power Query

Power Query is a powerful data analysis tool in Excel that can transform and shape data. To convert date values to text using Power Query, follow these steps:

1. Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to convert.
2. Click on the “Data” tab, then click “From Table/Range”.
3. In the “Power Query Editor” window, select the column that contains the dates.
4. Click on the “Transform” tab, and then click “Data Type”.
5. Select “Text” from the drop-down list.
6. Click “Close & Load” to apply the changes and return to Excel.

The dates in the selected cells will now be converted to text.

8. Method 6: Using VBA Macro

VBA Macro is a programming language in Excel that can be used to automate tasks. To convert date values to text using VBA Macro, follow these steps:

1. Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA Editor.
2. Click “Insert” from the menu, and then click “Module”.
3. Press F5 to run the macro.

The dates in the selected cells will now be converted to text.

9. Conclusion

In this article, we have explored different methods for converting date values to text in Excel. We have covered manual and automated methods using VBA macro and Power Query. Using these methods, you can easily convert date values to text in a specific format or as part of a text string.

10. FAQs

1. Can I convert multiple date values to text at once? Yes, you can select a range of cells that contain date values and apply any of the methods we have discussed.
2. Can I convert text values to date values in Excel? Yes, you can use the DATEVALUE function to convert text values to date values.
3. Can I use formulas to convert date values to text? You can use various formulas, such as the TEXT function, to convert date values to text.
4. Can I use custom number formatting to display date values in different formats? You can use custom number formatting to display date values in various formats.
5. Can I automate the conversion of date values to text using VBA Macro? Yes, you can write a VBA macro to automate the conversion of date values to text.

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