Working with dates in Google Sheets can be a breeze, but sometimes you might encounter dates formatted in a way that doesn’t suit your needs. Whether you’re importing data from another source or simply prefer a different date display, knowing how to change date formatting in Google Sheets is essential for efficient data analysis and presentation.
Overview
This guide will walk you through the process of changing date formatting in Google Sheets. We’ll cover the following:
Understanding Date Formats
Google Sheets uses a standardized format to represent dates. We’ll explore the different date formats available and how to identify the current format of your data.
Changing Date Formats Manually
Learn how to apply specific date formats to individual cells or ranges using the number format options.
Using the “Format” Menu
Discover a convenient way to change date formats for selected cells through the “Format” menu.
Formatting Dates from Imported Data
Explore techniques for adjusting the date format of data imported from external sources.
How to Change Date Formatting in Google Sheets
Google Sheets offers a variety of date formatting options to customize the way dates appear in your spreadsheets. Whether you need to display dates in a specific regional format or want to emphasize certain date components, you can easily adjust the date formatting to suit your needs.
Understanding Date Formatting
Dates in Google Sheets are stored as serial numbers, representing the number of days since January 1, 1900. When you apply a date format, you’re essentially telling Google Sheets how to interpret and display this serial number.
Changing Date Format
Here’s how to change the date format in Google Sheets: (See Also: How To Hit Enter In Google Sheets)
1.
Select the cells containing the dates you want to format.
2.
Go to the “Format” menu and click on “Number.”
3.
In the “Number” dialog box, choose “Date” from the “Format” dropdown list.
4. (See Also: How To Compare Two Columns In Google Sheets To Find Differences)
Select the desired date format from the list of options. Google Sheets provides a wide range of predefined formats, including:
- Short Date: MM/DD/YYYY (e.g., 01/15/2023)
- Medium Date: MMM DD, YYYY (e.g., Jan 15, 2023)
- Long Date: MMMM DD, YYYY (e.g., January 15, 2023)
- Custom Date: You can create your own custom date format using format codes.
5.
Click “OK” to apply the new date format.
Using Custom Date Formats
For more precise control over date formatting, you can use custom date formats. Google Sheets provides a comprehensive set of format codes that you can combine to create your desired format.
Here are some common format codes:
- M: Month (e.g., 01 for January)
- D: Day (e.g., 15)
- Y: Year (e.g., 2023)
- h: Hour (12-hour format, e.g., 03)
- H: Hour (24-hour format, e.g., 15)
- m: Minute (e.g., 30)
- s: Second (e.g., 55)
For example, to display the date as “Month Day, Year,” you would use the custom format code “MMMM DD, YYYY.”
Recap
Changing date formatting in Google Sheets is a straightforward process. You can choose from a variety of predefined formats or create your own custom formats using format codes. By customizing the date display, you can enhance the readability and organization of your spreadsheets.
Frequently Asked Questions: Changing Date Formatting in Google Sheets
How do I change the date format in a single cell?
To change the date format in a single cell, select the cell, then click on the “Format” menu in the toolbar. Choose “Number” and select the desired date format from the dropdown list.
Can I change the date format for an entire column?
Absolutely! Select the entire column by clicking on the column letter at the top. Then, follow the same steps as above (Format > Number > Date) to apply the new format to all cells in the column.
What are some common date formats available in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets offers a variety of date formats, including “mm/dd/yyyy,” “dd/mm/yyyy,” “yyyy-mm-dd,” “MMMM dd, yyyy,” and many more. You can find a complete list of available formats in the “Number” dropdown menu under “Format.”
My dates are appearing as text instead of dates. How can I fix this?
If your dates are displaying as text, Google Sheets might not recognize them as dates. To fix this, select the cells containing the dates, then go to “Data” > “Data Cleanup” > “Format as Date.” Choose the appropriate date format from the options.
Is there a way to automatically format new dates as I enter them?
Yes! You can set a default date format for your spreadsheet. Go to “File” > “Spreadsheet settings” > “Default date format” and choose your preferred format. All new dates you enter will automatically adopt this format.