How to Change Date Format to yyyy-mm-dd in Excel: A Comprehensive Guide

Microsoft Excel is a powerful data management and analysis tool, and understanding how to format dates is essential for organizing your data effectively. One common requirement is to change the date format to yyyy-mm-dd. This tutorial will walk you through the process of changing the date format to this desired format in Excel.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Date Format to yyyy-mm-dd in Excel

Select the Cells:
- Click on the cell or select the range of cells that contain the dates you want to format. Open Format Cells Dialog:
- Right-click on the selected cells and choose Format Cells. Alternatively, you can go to the Home tab, and in the Number group, click the small arrow in the bottom right corner. Choose Custom Format:
- In the Format Cells dialog, click on the Number tab. Enter the Custom Format:
- In the Type field, enter yyyy-mm-dd. Apply the Format:
- Click OK to apply the new format.

Your selected dates should now display in the yyyy-mm-dd format.

Alternative Steps with Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are the alternative steps using keyboard shortcuts:

Select the cells which you want to format. Press Ctrl 1 “Format Cells” option will appear. A dialog box will appear with a variety of formatting options under the Number tab. Click on Custom. Select Custom under the Type field and enter yyyy-mm-dd. Click OK.

Another Approach for Custom Formatting

If the desired format is not available, you can create a custom format:

Right-click the cell or row/column you wish to change the date format. Select Format Cells… from the dropdown. Under the Date tab, if the required format is not available, select Custom. In the Type field, fill in yyyy-mm-dd. Click OK.

FAQs

Can I use yyyy/mm/dd format instead of yyyy-mm-dd?
Yes, you can use yyyy/mm/dd as well. Both formats are recognized by Excel as valid date formats. How do I apply this format to an entire column?
Select the entire column or range of cells, then follow the steps above. The format will be applied to all selected cells. What if I want to format the date differently later?
You can change the date format at any time by following the same steps and entering a different format in the Type field.

Conclusion

Changing the date format to yyyy-mm-dd in Excel is a straightforward task that can be completed in a few simple steps. Whether you're working with a single cell or an entire range of cells, the process remains the same. By following the detailed guide provided here, you'll be able to easily format your dates according to your needs.