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How to convert a date to text in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=TEXT(A2,"YYYY-MM-DD")Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1Enter your date value in A2.
- 2In a result cell, enter =TEXT(A2,"YYYY-MM-DD") for ISO format.
- 3Change the format code to match your needs: "MM/DD/YYYY" for US format, "DD/MM/YYYY" for UK format, "MMMM D, YYYY" for long form.
- 4The result is a text string that can be concatenated: ="Report date: "&TEXT(A2,"MMMM D, YYYY").
- 5Press Enter. Note the result aligns left, confirming it is text, not a date.
Tips
- Once a date is converted to text with TEXT(), you cannot use it in date arithmetic. If you still need to calculate with the date, keep the original date in a separate column.
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Frequently asked
Why does my date appear as a number like 45292 instead of a formatted date?
That number is the date serial number. It means the cell is not formatted as a date. Use TEXT(A2,"YYYY-MM-DD") to convert it to a readable string, or format the source cell as a Date.
How do I convert a date to text in a specific language?
In Google Sheets, use TEXT with a locale parameter in newer versions, or rely on LOWER/UPPER for case adjustments. In Excel, TEXT follows the Windows locale setting.