# MS Excel Data Formatting Issues

<figure><img src="https://117182291-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ1spIYLb1bYBR8mzUcvA%2Fuploads%2FEguf1UrHOy9Wfz1PAUMi%2Fdate_format_issues.png?alt=media&#x26;token=90bc2265-d71e-47ad-9f57-b602c2ee8a73" alt="" width="553"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When you input date and time data into MS Excel, there may be formatting specifications that can be mistranslated when uploaded into Ventla.

A common error can be seen in the example of "My Information" above.&#x20;

To fix this error, you will need to format your MS Excel column to the "Text" category.&#x20;

## Resolve the auto-formatting

1. Select the column or cells where you'll be entering data.
2. Right-click and choose "Format Cells."
3. Under category to the left, select "Text."
4. Click "OK."

Going forward, Excel will treat the data as text and will no longer auto-format it as a date.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
You will need to format the cells before entering your data.  If you already have data entered in the template, we recommend:&#x20;

* Open a fresh copy of the template
* Format the cells below the headings to "Text"
* Copy and paste the data from your original template into this new version
  {% endhint %}

Have questions or need additional help? [Contact us](https://support.ventla.io/kb/connect/contact-us).