To format a date:
Select the Cells command from the Format menu (or right-click and select Format Cells).
Select the Number tab in the "Format" dialog box.
Select Date from the numbers list. The "Date" group box will display.
In the Month group box, specify how you would like the month represented:
Digits: 1
Short Name: Jan
Long Name: January
Choose the separator you wish to appear between the different elements of the date in the Separator group box (e.g. 15/7/97 or 15-7-97).
In the Year group box, choose between None, Short Form (e.g. 97), or Long Form (e.g. 1997).
In the Order group box, choose whether you would like the day or the month to come first.
You can also choose to display the time alongside the date: click on the checkbox next to Add Time and then choose a time format.
A sample of the options you have chosen is given in the Preview box. When you have finished, click on the OK button and the date will be formatted to your specification.
See also: