Set defined name if it's a Date field

[pbassett]

Apparently if a string represents a date then it can't be used to set a defined name.
My VBA statement

ActiveWorkbook.Names.item("latestDate").Value = latestDate

where the variable latestDate = "2/19/2018" sets the defined name latestDate to "=43150"
How can I set the named field to "2/19/2018"? I didn't expect an issue when the string is a date.

 

[steve the fish]

You cant use a slash in a named range. You cant start a named range with a number. They are just the rules.

 

[pbassett]

Are you saying that even though it's a string that there are limitations?