Trouble preserving data types to .csv

Hello,

I'm trying to save a spreadsheet into .csv. I originally started with
an .xls file and copy pasted values only into a new spreadsheet, then
saved the new spreadsheet as a .csv. However, cells of the type: "1-2"
or "6-10" are not preserved; instead, they are saved in .csv as "2-Jan"
or "10-Jun" respectively. Is there a fix for this? In the .xls file it
saves the "1-2" format fine.

Thanks,
David

Oh I should also add that the cell content is actually, for "1-2",
1/2/2006, etc.

Oh I should also add that although the cell content for the .xls file
is "1-2" the .csv file is "1/2/2006" when I save it an reopen it.
Please disregard the last post.

Oh might I also add that this only happens when I save, close, and
reopen the csv. The cell format is "general" but when I reopen it
becomes a date.

OK I tried this but to no avail.

Copy everything from original .xls file.

Paste special as Values only into a new spreadsheet. Save that
spreadsheet as .csv.

Select all cells and choose cell format as "Text"

Save again.

However, when I reopen the .csv file it has changed the "1-2" verbatim
text formats into d-mmm again! How frustrating.

OK, adding a ' in front of the data (e.g. '1-2) still does not work
when reopening the .csv file.

David Z wrote:
> OK, adding a ' in front of the data (e.g. '1-2) still does not work
> when reopening the .csv file.
>
Why not just save the file as XLS and avoid the problem?

Bill

Bill Sharpe wrote:
> David Z wrote:
> > OK, adding a ' in front of the data (e.g. '1-2) still does not work
> > when reopening the .csv file.
> >
> Why not just save the file as XLS and avoid the problem?
>
> Bill

I need it as .csv for other programs.