Split date into 3 separate columns

Is it possible to start with a date in one column (like 1/23/2012), and get it to split into three separate columns for month, day, and year (ie. column A = month, B = day, C= year)? Seems odd but I have a large file that needs to be in that format. Thanks in advance!

In column A use =month()
In column B use =day()
In column C use =year()

or you could just use custom fomatting to show just the day or month or year

You could also use the following method i use, via Vlookup ( see attached) i split the date entered into week number,month and year.insert 3 columns and copy into your sheet with the lookup 1. Manipulate the data as you need. The formula in the sheet is as follows : =IF(A2="","",VLOOKUP(A2,Lookup1!A$3:D$4102,2,FALSE))
Basically this means lookup a2 (date entered) if it = "0" output nothing, otherwise Vlookup a2 in lookup1 tab in data a3 d4102 and if you find it give the 2nd column result. If you look at the week , month and year you will see it is only the last number that changes.

you could then use pivot tables to break your data down into weeks months years as i do!

hope this helps you

Thanks a lot for the responses! I will try these methods.