Excel: Import Fractions As Fractions - Not Dates

For some strange reason, Excel likes to import fractions as dates. Example: let’s say you are want to import a column of data from an Access database table that contains fractions such as 21/25, 1/25, 2/35, and 30/61. You will need to format the column of cells containing the fractional data to an appropriate fraction format before importing, and this is how we do it:

1. Select the column that will contain the fractional data.
2. Right-click the selection.
3. Select Format Cells.
4. In the Number tab, under Category, select Fraction.
5. Under Type, select Up To Two Digits (21/25), then click OK.

When you import the data to that column, Excel will format each entry as a fraction. Keep in mind that if the data contained fractions such as 30/750, you would select Up To Three Digits (312/943) in Step 5. If you wanted to display your data as fractions over 100 (for example, 30/65 displayed as 46/100), you would select As Hundreds (30/100) in Step 5.

If you won’t be using the fractions in calculations, you can prevent Excel from changing your entries to dates by applying the Text format to the cell before you enter the data. In that case, in Step 4 select Text under the Category list and then click OK.

To me this is kind of lame, but it’s the best Excel can do!