XL2002: Cells Automatically Format with Hijri Date Format When You Type "a-" Before a Number (812385)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2002
Note This article discusses complex scripts functionality. Complex scripts functionality is available when you use the Office Language Settings tool to enable a language, such as Arabic or Hebrew, that requires this functionality. For more information about multilingual features, click Microsoft your Office product Help on the Help menu, type multilingual features in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Searchto view the topics that are returned.
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you create a new workbook in Excel 2002, and you type an expression of the form a1-x in a cell, where x is any number in the range from 1 to 99, the cell automatically formats with an Arabic date format.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Excel 2002 interprets these strings as dates in the Hijri calendar.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, you must set a registry value, so that Excel does not interpret such strings as dates in the Hijri calendar. To do this:
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
  1. Quit all Microsoft Windows programs, including Microsoft Excel 2002.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  4. Locate and then select the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Excel\Options

  5. On the Edit menu, click New, and then click DWORD Value.
  6. Type xl9_hijri, and then press ENTER.
  7. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  8. Type 1, and then click OK.
  9. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

When you restart Excel 2002 after you set this registry key, the program will no longer interpret these strings as Hijri dates. When this key is not present, Excel functions as if the key were set to 0 and automatically interpret the entered values as Hijri dates.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/27/2006
Keywords:kbBug KB812385
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