I'm trying to add fractions to Google Sheets document. However, any time I enter 1/12
, it's automatically converted to the date 1/12/2017
How can I prevent this from happening?
Web Applications Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for power users of web applications. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this communityShort version: Use the custom number format _# ??/??
for regular fractions, or # ??/??
for mixed fractions.
Add an =
sign so the cell contains =1/12
. If it doesn't display as the decimal number 0.08333
, reset the cell's formatting with Format -> Number -> Automatic
.
To make the cell display as a fraction, we can use a custom number format courtesy of math-faq.com. Highlight the cells you want to format and select Format -> Number -> More Formats -> Custom number format...
. To format as a fraction, enter the number format _# ??/??
.
Bonus Tip: If you want to use mixed fractions, remove the _
and use the number format # ??/??
.
1/100
will instead display as 1/99
.) For that you'll need something like # ???/???
.
To stop Google Sheets from changing your fractions to the date, simply go to Format>Number>Plain Text
This will change it so that instead of trying to alter the numbers you enter, it will simply leave it alone.