WPS Spreadsheet: Convert Numeric Excel Values to Proper Dates
Question details
The user needs to convert transposed Excel values into properly displayed dates.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Date values that displayed correctly before transposing now appear as serial numbers or text, and the user wants to restore a normal date display.
- Observed behavior
- Applying a date format does not change the appearance of the values, indicating that some cells may be stored as text rather than numeric date serials.
Select an affected cell and check its formula bar and alignment. Numeric date serials are usually right-aligned, while text values are often left-aligned and may include a leading apostrophe.
Apply a date format to numeric date serials
Use this method when the cells contain real numeric Excel date serials that are only displayed in General or Number format.
In WPS Spreadsheet, highlight the cells containing the serial numbers, such as 45292 or 45300.
Right-click the selection and choose Format Cells, or open the Home tab and use the Number Format controls.
In the Format Cells dialog, select Date and choose a format such as Short Date, then click OK.
Convert text values into numbers before formatting them as dates
Use this method when transposed values look numeric but are stored as text and ignore date formatting.
Convert Excel Date Serial Numbers and Text to Dates in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet lets you inspect whether values are text or numbers, convert text-number entries, and apply a date format without changing the underlying data manually.
- 1. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the Excel workbook containing the affected date values.
- 2. Inspect the values: Select a problematic cell and review the formula bar and alignment to determine whether it is text or a numeric serial.
- 3. Convert text values when necessary: Use a helper formula such as =VALUE(A1), or use Data > Text to Columns to convert text-number entries.
- 4. Apply the date format: Select the numeric values, open Format Cells, choose Date or Short Date, and confirm with OK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does applying a date format not change the value in WPS Spreadsheet?
The cell is probably storing the date as text. Convert it with =VALUE(A1), Data > Text to Columns, or Paste Special > Multiply, then apply a date format from Format Cells.
How can I tell whether a date serial number is stored as text?
Select the cell and check the formula bar and alignment. Text is commonly left-aligned and may show a leading apostrophe, while numeric date serials are typically right-aligned.
What formula converts a text number into a usable date value?
Enter =VALUE(A1) in a blank cell, replacing A1 with the source cell. After filling the formula down, copy the results and paste them as values before applying a date format.
Does Show Formulas control how dates are displayed?
No. Show Formulas only switches between displaying formulas and their results. It does not convert text to numbers or control date formatting.
Why did transposing the data make the dates appear as serial numbers?
The transpose operation may have transferred the underlying serial values or converted them to text. Check the value type, convert text entries if needed, and then apply a Date format.
