[Solved] Stop a cell from automatically formatting as number

[Paddy Landau]

I have a table, and in the right-hand column there are times.

For example, "6:30 pm".

Suddenly (I think since the latest upgrade), when I type a time, Writer reformats it. For example, "6:30 pm" becomes "18:30:00".

How do I turn off this auto-formatting? I want it to show exactly what I type, not automatically format it into a number (or time).

Thanks

Edit:  OpenOffice 3.0.0

[bobban]

Two ways I know of:

1) Select the cells you know you want to not be formatted. Right click, 'Format cells...', then go to the 'Numbers' tab. At the bottom of the category list, select 'Text'. Your entries will be displayed exactly as you enter them.

2) Alternatively, type ' (an apostrophe) before you start typing, which which will have a similar effect.

[Paddy Landau]

Excellent, thanks. The first option was best. The apostrophe remains visible; perhaps because it changes to a "custom quote".

[acknak]

1) ... 'Format cells...', ... 'Text'. ...
2) Alternatively, type ' (an apostrophe) before you start typing...

Sorry, are you thinking of Calc? Both of these methods have issues in Writer, which I expect we're talking about here in the Writer forum

To turn off the auto formatting, right-click in the table > Number Formatting: OFF (unchecked)

Changing the number format to text may appear to work, but in some cases at least, if you later enter a number that Writer recognizes, it will toss out the text format and go back to auto-formatting. Turning off number recognition prevents any auto-changes for all tables in the document.

[bobban]

Sorry, are you thinking of Calc?

Yes, I was....

Follow acknak's advice Paddy!

[Paddy Landau]

I take it you're talking about "Number Recognition"?

I've turned it off now; thanks for that advice!