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Formatting shortcut

Apply date format

Ctrl + Shift + # on Windows, Ctrl + Shift + # on Mac.

OccasionalDifficulty 1050 · Capable
Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

Applies the default date format (day-month-year).

The shape of it

Windows
Ctrl + Shift + #
Mac
Ctrl + Shift + #

Worked examples

  • Show dates

    Select a column of serial numbers, Ctrl + Shift + # → They display as dates

    After DATEVALUE or a calculation.

  • Hide the time

    Ctrl + Shift + # on a timestamp → The time part is hidden

    Still stored.

  • Other formats

    Ctrl + 1 for other date formats → mmm-yy and so on

    The dialog has more.

Worth knowing

  • The # is on the 3 key: Ctrl + Shift + 3.
  • Ctrl + Shift + @ applies the time format.
  • Custom formats give full control.

Where it goes wrong

  • The exact format follows regional settings.
  • Text dates do not change; convert them first.

Related

Ctrl + 1Ctrl + BCtrl + ICtrl + UCtrl + Shift + $Ctrl + Shift + %

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