Formatting Issues

How to Change Excel Date from US to English Format (DD/MM/YYYY)

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 873 views

Question details

The user needs to convert date formats in a spreadsheet from the US style (MM/DD/YYYY) to the English/UK style (DD/MM/YYYY).

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adjusting regional date displays for international audiences, standardized reporting, or personal preference.
Observed behavior: Dates are currently displayed in a US format (e.g., 8/23/2024) but are correctly recognized as numerical date values by the software, evidenced by the right-alignment in the cells.

Before you start

Ensure your dates are actually recognized as date values (typically right-aligned in the cell) rather than text strings, as custom formatting changes will only apply to valid date serial numbers.

Solution 1Recommended

Apply a Custom Date Format

Use the 'More Number Formats' menu to apply a custom DD/MM/YYYY mask. This changes how the date looks without altering the underlying numerical data.

Applying a custom format is the safest way to change date layouts because it preserves the original date data for calculations and sorting.

Select the target cells

Click and drag to select the column or specific cells containing the dates you want to reformat.

Open the Number Format menu

Navigate to the Home tab on the top ribbon, locate the Number section, and click the dropdown menu showing the current format.

Access More Number Formats

Scroll to the bottom of the dropdown list and select 'More Number Formats' to open the Format Cells dialog box.

Enter the custom format code

In the left pane, choose 'Custom'. In the 'Type' input box on the right, enter exactly 'dd/mm/yyyy' and click OK to apply the new English format.

Display vs. Value: This method changes the display format only. The underlying date serial number remains exactly the same, meaning your formulas and pivot tables will continue to function normally.

Format Dates Easily

Change Date Formats Quickly in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office offers a fully featured spreadsheet tool that makes adjusting custom date formats, including switching between US and UK dates, incredibly straightforward.

1. Select your dates: Highlight the cells or column containing your US-formatted dates in WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Open Format Cells: Right-click the selected area and choose 'Format Cells', or simply press the Ctrl+1 keyboard shortcut.
3. Navigate to Custom formats: Go to the 'Number' tab in the dialog box and click on 'Custom' in the category list.
4. Apply the new format: Type 'dd/mm/yyyy' in the Type field and click 'OK' to instantly change the date appearance.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and date serial numbers.Intuitive cell formatting dialogs familiar to Excel users.Lightweight software with fast performance for large datasets.Completely free alternative for all your basic and advanced spreadsheet needs.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't my dates changing when I apply the custom format?

If the date format doesn't update, the data is likely stored as text instead of numerical dates. You can fix this by selecting the column, going to the Data tab, and using the 'Text to Columns' feature to force the software to evaluate them as dates.

Can I change the default date format for all new spreadsheets?

Yes, the default date format is controlled by your computer's system regional settings. You can change this by going to your operating system's Control Panel or Settings and updating the Region/Language preferences to UK English or your preferred locale.

How do I format the date to include the month name, like 23-Aug-2024?

In the Custom format Type box within the Format Cells dialog, enter 'dd-mmm-yyyy'. The 'mmm' code represents the three-letter text abbreviation of the month.

Will changing the date format affect my existing formulas?

No, altering the custom format only changes how the date is visually displayed on the screen. Any formulas referencing those cells will still read the underlying date value correctly without causing calculation errors.

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