The date is stored in Excel as numbers. However, Excel allows users to convert to other valid formats like the string. The conversion of dates to string is pretty straightforward. This article will discuss ways and methods of converting Excel dates to strings.
Using the TEXT function
The TEXT function is an in-built Excel function that can convert a date to a string.
Syntax:
=TEXT (value, format_text)
Value: This is the date you want to convert to string.
Format_value: This is how you want to convert the selected value.
A] The Formula bar Tool
Below are the steps you need to follow while using this method to convert a date to a string:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Workbook that contains your dataset or open a new worksheet.
3. Click on an empty cell that will hold the results, and then click on the Formula bar.
4. Type the Equal sign followed by the TEXT function. That is, =TEXT (
5. Select the cells with your argument (date). For example, =TEXT (A1
6. Next, add the formatting argument in the function. That is, =TEXT (A1, "ddd mmm yyy")
7. Finally, hit the Enter button.
B] The Insert Function Tool
Steps to follow:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Workbook that contains your dataset or open a new worksheet.
3. Click on the Formulas tab on the screen, and then locate the Function Library section.
4. Click the Insert Function button to open the Insert Function dialogue box.
5. In the Search for a Function section, type TEXT and press the Go button.
6. Select the TEXT option in the Select a Function section and then hit the Ok button.
7. In the Value section, choose the cell with the date you wish to convert, and in the Format, vale section, add this "ddd mmm yyy"
8. Finally, hit the OK button.
Using the Text to Columns Tool
Below are the steps you need to follow while using this method to convert a date to a string:
1. Open the Workbook that contains your dataset.
2. Select the cell that contains the date you wish to convert to text.
3. Go to the Data tab on the Ribbon, and locate the Data Tools section.
4. Click the Text to Columns button to open the Convert Text to columns Wizard dialogue box.
5. In the dialogue box, select the Delimited option and click the Next button.
6. In the next screen, make sure NO delimiter is selected. Then, click the Next button.
7. In the Next screen, toggle on the Text button. Then, select the destination in the Destination section.
8. Finally, hit the Finish button.
Using the Formatting Tool
Steps:
1. Open the Workbook that contains your dataset.
2. Select the cell that contains the date you wish to convert to text, and then right-click.
3. From the menu, choose the Format cells button.
4. In the Format Cells dialogue box, click the Number tab. Then, click the Text option in the left pane.
5. Then, click the OK button.