How to copy and paste date as text format in Excel ? Convert data.

How to copy and paste formatted date as text in Excel ?

I am trying to convert date to text format by using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. After I choose to paste only the values, I get some irrelevant numbers.

For example:
Date 2025-01-24 is converted to 45681

To copy a date and paste it as text in Excel, you can change the data type of target cell. This method works well in many versions of Excel.

But there is also an alternative way available how to copy and paste date values as text. This option is more reliable, but requires to use the Notepad app.

1. Change the data type of target cell and use CTRL+C and CTRL+V

Select the target cells, then on Home tab, Number group, click on the Current data type and click on More Number Formats:





In the Category section, choose Custom and then Select the required date format or enter it in the Type field.



2. Use Notepad to copy date and paste it to text:

Simply select the cells with date values in Excel and press CTRL+C
Then open the Notepad and paste the date values using CTRL+V
Select the pasted values in Notepad and press CTRL+C
Go to your Excel sheet and paste the copied values from Notepad using CTRL+V