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» Displaying the Serial Number Behind the Date

Excel handles dates and times numerically. The numbers for dates range from 1 to 2958465, with 1 indicating January 1, 1900, and 2958465 indicating December 31, 9999.

To see the serial number behind a date:
Press Ctrl+` (the ` key is to the left of the 1 key) to change the display of the cell's contents.

To convert a date to its serial number:
Press Ctrl+Shift+~ to change the cell's contents.
Screenshot // Displaying the Serial Number Behind the Date
Displaying the Serial Number Behind the Date

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Mr
Charles Royall  Posted on: 31-12-1969
In my version of Excel 2000, to turn a number into a date you merely press Ctrl + # (no shift key). This produces the date in the following format: 25-Apr-03. The same key combination will also change any other pre-existing date format to this format.
Just Curios
Ice Cube  Posted on: 31-12-1969
How do u type the # key without the shift key. Just curios
CTRL #
Sting Ray  Posted on: 31-12-1969
Ctrl (number 5 key) will make the cell italics?!? not change the date format?!?
when would you use this
melissa  Posted on: 31-12-1969
this is cool to know, but when would you ever use this? wouldn't you have to memorize the number combination for every date in order to use this?
dates prior to 1900
Nicky  Posted on: 31-12-1969
Is it possible to enter dates prior to 1900? I'm trying to chart a long time series.
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