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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

Fraction being converted to a date

How can I prevent this from happening?

2 Answers 2

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Short 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.

Numbers displayed as decimals

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 _# ??/??.

Numbers displayed as fractions Custom number format for fractions

Bonus Tip: If you want to use mixed fractions, remove the _ and use the number format # ??/??.

Numbers displayed as mixed numbers Custom number format for mixed numbers

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  • or for short vulgar fractions, # ?/??
    – Crissov
    Apr 19, 2017 at 6:58
  • 2
    When typing a fraction directly, such as 3/16, this doesn't work. The fraction is immediately converted to a date, like 3/16/2019 Jun 5, 2019 at 12:55
  • Also, note that this won't work for fractions with hundreds in them (e.g. 1/100 will instead display as 1/99.) For that you'll need something like # ???/???.
    – Pro Q
    Nov 2, 2020 at 8:50
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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.

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