Excel does not recognize date when you type one???????

[is49460]

Hello,
I came across a spreadsheet that doesn’t recognize a date when you type one. It converts it to a formula. If I type
1/1/2010
Excel stores it as =1/1/2010 and therefore produce the result of the division, rather than a number (40179) that should represent a date (of course when the cell is formatted as date I should see a date).
If I type for example 40179 and format it as a date I get a date (1/1/2010), but if I go into the cell and change year from 2010 to 2009 excel again changes the whole thing to formula rather than recognize it as a date and I get =1/1/2009.
Does anyone know what makes excel do that? (I am not looking for work around, but rather the actual option or reason that makes excel not recognize a date).
Thanks.

 

[RoryA]

Tools-Options-Transition tab, uncheck the Transition formula entry option.
Or, in 2007, Excel Options, Advanced section, last option at the bottom.

 

[is49460]

Perfect!!! I spend WAY too much time trying to find that option, thanks for prompt response!!!

 

[is49460]

Tools-Options-Transition tab, uncheck the Transition formula entry option.
Or, in 2007, Excel Options, Advanced section, last option at the bottom.

Perfect!!! I spend WAY too much time trying to find that option, thanks for prompt response!!!
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