[Solved] Converting text to date

[jgriffs@comcast.net]

Solved. I have a date column which currently is text (' 6/12/19). I can get the date to show as non-text (06/12/19) with a =VALUE(CELL ADDRESS)
Obviously, the formula is in the cell. I can't format what I see as a date - making the cell no longer have a formula.
My goal is to have something in a cell which I can then format as mm/dd/yy for sorting purposes. The resulting date should be 06/12/16. Without the mm, sorts don't work.

[robleyd]

You may find this post answers your question.

[jgriffs@comcast.net]

David, Thanks for the reply. However, it seems you intended to direct me to a particular post but nothing followed your "You may find this post answers your question."

[RoryOF]

Click on the blue "this post"; it is a hyperlink.

[MrProgrammer]

i have a date column which currently is text (' 6/12/19). I can get the date to show as non-text (06/12/19)

Read [Tutorial] Text to Columns where conversions of this type are explained. Tell the dialog you have dates (Column Type) and specify the format. 6/12/19 is ambiguous; it could be December 6 or June 12. You must tell Calc the format using the Text Import dialog. Be sure to read Q41/A41.

i have a date column which currently is text (' 6/12/19). … The resulting date should be 06/12/16.

Wouldn't you want 06/12/19?

Without the mm, sorts don't work.

Wrong!! Read sections 2. Controlling how data is displayed and 3. Dates in cells in Ten concepts that every Calc user should know. It is not possible to have a date, as explained in section 3, which does not have a month. Sorting is based on the cell's value. Dates will sort in calendar order regardless of how they're formatted.

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