Re: [libreoffice-users] Calc. Changing format of data types

On 27/07/11 7:59 PM, Brian Barker wrote:
> At 10:04 27/07/2011 +1200, Steve Edmonds wrote:
> > On Wed, 2011-07-27 at 09:16 +1200, Steve Edmonds wrote:
> > > If I have a string in a cell, say 30/08/2011 and the format is 
> > > general  (I don't know what types the data) can this be changed to a 
> > > date data type without having to re-enter all my data.
> >
> > I worked it out. I changed the alignment using the right, centered, 
> > left buttons that confused LO. I had 12/03/2011, cell number type 
> > date but it was not really a date but confused. I cleared all 
> > formatting Ctl-M, cell showed 12/03/2011. I set cell format to text, 
> > cell showed 12/03/2011. I set cell format to date and the formula 
> > changed to '12/03/2011 (note that ' was added in front) I deleted the 
> > ' in front and the cell changed to date.
>
> There is an easier way to do this, especially if you have a lot of 
> entries.  Use the formula =VALUE(xx) to create a new column of 
> values.  This will extract the date value from the text entry you 
> have, though you may have to format the resulting column as Date to 
> see the values correctly.  You can paste the corrected values back 
> over the originals if you prefer, of course - using Paste Special and 
> deselecting Formulas.
>
> I trust this helps.
>
> Brian Barker
Thanks, worked a treat.
steve

--
Unsubscribe instructions: E-mail to users+help@global.libreoffice.org
Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/
Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette
List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/
All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted