What are the downsides of using the 1904 date system?

[JenniferMurphy]

I was working on a little sheet to compare the time it takes to drive 100 miles at various speeds. Once I had the columns showing the times, I wanted to add columns to compare the times at each speed with various reference speeds. All of the cells that had negative times were filled with # signs (#####).

A little checking turned up several websites telling me to check the 1904 date system box in the advanced settings. I did that and the negative dates now display correctly.

What are the downsides to using this setting?

If there are none, why isn't it the default?

I checked another workbook and the setting was not changed there, so I assume it is only for that one workbook, right?

 

[jasonb75]

If there are none, why isn't it the default?

There are none that I know of for a stand-alone workbook. The 1900 date system is used by default for compatibility purposes.

Differences between the 1900 and the 1904 date system - Microsoft 365 Apps

Provides the description of the differences between the 1900 date system and the 1904 date system in Excel. Discusses the problems that you may experience when you use these two different date systems in Excel workbooks.

docs.microsoft.com

 

[JenniferMurphy]

OK, thanks.