Mac Works: Using Dates Prior to January 1, 1904 in Works
  
PSS ID Number: Q100822
Article last modified on 10-22-1998
 
3.0 4.0
 
MACINTOSH
 

======================================================================
 
------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Works for the Macintosh, versions 3.0 and 4.0
------------------------------------------------------------
 
SUMMARY
=======
 
In a Microsoft Works spreadsheet or database, a cell or field that is
formatted with the Date option stores the data as a serial number. In
the Macintosh environment, serialized dates begin as follows:
 
   0 = January 1, 1904
 
If you enter a date earlier than this, it is serialized as something
at the end of this century or after the year 2000. For example,
05/11/1903 becomes 05/11/2003.
 
Using negative numbers allow you to perform functions or do sorts in a
larger range of dates.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
Works allows you to format a negative number as a date. To record a date
earlier than January 1, 1904, try the following steps in a spreadsheet.
You may then transfer the serial number to a database.
 
1. Format a cell as a date.
 
2. Enter a month, day, and year in the cell (make sure it is in a
   year that is after 1904). Press RETURN.
 
3. Format the cell again, and select Number from the Type group box, and
   General from the Appearance list box. Choose OK. This gives you the
   serial number representing that date.
 
4. To obtain the serial number for the date, enter the following formula in
   another cell
 
      =(X)-365.25*Y.
 
   where X is the number derived in step 3 and Y is the difference
   between the year you want and the initial input date.
 
   If you want to put this date in the database, copy the cell and paste
   the serial number into a database record.
 
5. Format the cell again and select Date from the Type group box. Choose
   OK.
 
6. Due to rounding, you may need to add 1 or subtract 1 from
   the above formula if it doesn't give you the exact date you want.
 
KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory: macworkskb
 
Additional reference words: 3.00  mac mwksdb mwksss mwksmisc prior
before to nnn 4.00
======================================================================
Version           : 3.0 4.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbinfo
=============================================================================
Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.