Excel: International Date Format Changes Running Smart Parse

 Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
Article ID: Q107625
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Smart Parse command on text that contains dates, the date format will be changed to a United States date format. That is, dates formatted with international formats (D/M/Y or Y/M/D) will be reformatted to an M/D/Y date format.

The Smart Parse command overrides the Windows international settings.

RESOLUTION

To work around this situation, change the country setting in Microsoft Windows Control Panel to United States prior to running Smart Parse. This will correct any date format problems.

MORE INFORMATION

Date formats are controlled by the International section of the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. Control Panel country settings other than United States may experience incorrect date formatting when Smart Parse is used.

The Smart Parse command is added to the Data menu when you load the Flat File add-in macro (FLATFILE.XLA). Smart Parse gives you the option to parse your data based on a specified delimiter.

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Additional reference words: 4.00 4.0a



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Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
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