First, select the cells in question, and click the "Number Format" dialog box icon in the bottom-right corner of the Number ...

This brings up the Format Cells dialog box with the Number section preselected. Click on the "Date" option in the category list on the left side of the Format Cells dialog box.

The Format Cells dialog box contains a list of date formats in different languages.

The Format Cells dialog box in Microsoft Excel, with the Custom number formatting selected, three semicolons typed into the Type box, and the OK button selected.

If the Excel cell format is not changing to a number because the Number formatting is not working, take these steps to fix the issue.

What are the Cell Styles in Excel? Cell Styles combines formatting characteristics such as fonts, font sizes, cell borders, cell shading, and number formats.

Date Formatting Excel gives you quite a few options to choose from under Number > Date in the Format Cells dialog (which, again, you get to by pressing Ctrl-1 or Command-1 on the Mac).

Excel's conditional formatting lets you formats cells based on the value of those cells or their formulas. Learn the basics of this amazing feature.

In the ‘Format Cells’ dialog box, set the format to ‘Text.’ By formatting the cells as text, Excel will preserve any leading zeros in your barcode data, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

When you think VBA code is your only hope, try combing built-it conditional formatting tools. You might just find an easier solution than writing code.

2. In the New Formatting Rule dialog box under Select a Rule Type, choose the second option on the list: Format Only Cells that Contain. 3.