Date Formats Turning to Serial Numbers on Charts

Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
Article ID: Q42288

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2, 3.0, 4.0
Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2, 2.21, 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When creating and saving a chart using information formatted with a custom date format, the dates no longer appear when the chart is reopened. Their serial number representations are displayed.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in later versions of Microsoft Excel.

CAUSE

The supporting sheet (the sheet from which the chart was created) is not open.

WORKAROUND

Once you have both the worksheet and the chart open, the custom date formats display correctly.

KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory:
Additional words: 2.00 2.01 2.10 2.20 2.21 3.00 4.00
percentage
KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory:

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.