Formatting Issues

How to Format Excel Dates with Periods Instead of Commas

Nimra Malik Oct 7, 2026 868 views

Question details

Displaying Excel dates using periods (e.g., 04.03.23) instead of default regional separators like commas or slashes.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing date formats in a spreadsheet to match specific regional formatting preferences or stylistic requirements.
Observed behavior: Dates are automatically displaying with commas or slashes based on default regional settings rather than the desired period separator.

Before you start

Ensure your data is recognized by Excel as actual date values and not plain text, so that custom number formatting can be correctly applied.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Format Cells Dialog to Apply a Period Date Format

The standard and most reliable way to change date separators is by adjusting the Number format in the Format Cells menu.

By modifying the cell format, you change how the date is displayed without altering the underlying date value. This ensures that formulas and sorting functions continue to work correctly.

Select the target cells

Highlight the specific cells, rows, or columns containing the dates you wish to format.

Open the Format Cells dialog

Right-click the selected cells and choose 'Format Cells', or press the 'Ctrl + 1' keyboard shortcut.

Choose the Date category

Navigate to the 'Number' tab. In the Category list on the left, click on 'Date'.

Select or create the period format

Look for a format using periods in the 'Type' list. If none exists, click 'Custom' in the Category list and type 'dd.mm.yy' or 'dd.mm.yyyy' into the Type field.

Apply the format

Check the 'Sample' box to ensure the preview looks correct (e.g., 04.03.23), then click 'OK' to apply the formatting to your cells.

Use the Format Cells Dialog to Apply a Period Date Format

Universal Formatting: Using the Custom 'dd.mm.yy' format guarantees your dates will display with periods regardless of the default regional settings on the computer viewing the file.

Solution 2

Use Find and Replace for Text-Based Dates

If your dates were imported or typed as plain text rather than actual date values, you can use Find and Replace to swap commas for periods.

Advanced Spreadsheet Editor

Easily Custom-Format Dates in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides robust, intuitive cell formatting options, making it simple to customize date separators to periods, slashes, or any format you require while maintaining full data integrity.

1. Highlight your dates: Select the cells containing the dates in your WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Access cell formatting: Press 'Ctrl + 1' or right-click and select 'Format Cells'.
3. Apply Custom Format: Go to Number > Custom, type 'dd.mm.yy' in the text field, and click OK.

Intuitive Custom Format builder for personalized date displaysSeamlessly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsLightweight, fast-loading, and completely free to useFamiliar user interface requires no learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my dates change format when I apply the period format?

This happens when Excel registers your dates as plain text instead of date values. You can fix this by selecting the column, going to the 'Data' tab, clicking 'Text to Columns', and clicking 'Finish' to convert them into real dates. After that, your custom period format will apply correctly.

Can I set the period date format as the default for all new spreadsheets?

Yes, but this requires changing your system's regional settings rather than an Excel setting. In Windows, go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Change date, time, or number formats, and update the 'Short date' format to use periods (e.g., dd.MM.yyyy).

How do I format dates as DD.MM.YYYY instead of DD.MM.YY?

Open the Format Cells dialog (Ctrl+1), navigate to the 'Number' tab, select 'Custom', and type 'dd.mm.yyyy' into the Type box. The extra two 'y's tell the software to display the full four-digit year.

Will formatting dates with periods break my Excel formulas?

No. Changing a cell's format only changes how the data is displayed to you visually. The underlying serial number that Excel uses to calculate days and perform formula logic remains completely intact and unaffected.

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