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Excel 2010 sometimes opens with formulas or number entries changed to dates in many columns throughout workbook. But not all columns.

The "number format" automatically changes from GENERAL to DATE. This effects dozens of columns. It does not happen during use while excel is open. It only occurs after the document is closed and reopened. It has occurred about 4 times in the past 2 years. But if it was not for my backups, this would be a mess.

It has happened with different files.

The file effected today has 22 sheets with 15 sheets effected. The effected cells are manifested with hash marks because the dates are too long to fit into the narrow cell.

I am inspecting the damaged file and just realized that ALL sheets have ALL cells converted to DATE number format! That ought to simplify the diagnosis?

Finally, is there a simple way to reversing this problem other than opening an older version of the file?

Dave
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Tom X
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1 Answers1

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You mention in your comments that your file is an .XLSM. This means, as I'm sure you know, it runs Macro's (code).

Whilst technically malicious code (like a virus) could be causing the issue, I don't believe it is, more likely, it's code you have which is buggy or doing something when you don't expect it.

Therefore, you'll need to open the VBa screen (Developer tab) and see what can be disabled and or removed and or fixed etc

But before you do let's just disable it; in the developer tab, you click on Macro Security and for now, change it to disable all macros with notification , then in any cell you choose, add some text, save, and close the file. Reopen the file and do not allow the macro's to run and see if the cell has changed or not, thus proving if the issue is with a macro

Dave
  • 25,513