Numbers: Convert CSV text dates for sorting

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Level 1

16 points

Numbers: Convert CSV text dates for sorting

I have a csv file that I've opened in Number and I want to sort the date column by date (obviously). But when I run a sort, it sorts "1 April, 1 August, 1 Dec, 1 July, 2 April, 2 August," and so on. Clearly the date is being treated as text, so how do I convert it to a date format?

I tried converting it to xlsx file and opening it wiht LibreOffice and get "Ranges containing merged cells can only be sorted without formats".

I'm sure this is really simple, but I can't find a reply...

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Feb 21, 2026 7:01 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Peggy

Level 8

42,071 points

Feb 21, 2026 9:07 AM in response to Leo Bloom

It is simple once you know how. You need to "tell" Numbers that the column is a Date & Time. What we humans recognize as a date may not be recognizable as a date by Numbers. I have an xlsx file I download frequently and Numbers does not recognize the date and time field, so I have to "tell" in order to sort.

Click the column letter > the Format paintbrush > Cell > Data Format > Date & Time drop-down menu nd then select the format of your choice. My system is using US date formats, so you may see something different depending on your region setting, but the steps are the same. You can't see it in my screenshot, but I have the Time format set to None.

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Answer 2

Leo Bloom Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 22, 2026 6:39 AM in response to Peggy

Thank you, that worked. I knew it was simple. Now I just have to work out how to change the date format from US (MM/DD/YYYY) to row (DD/MM/YYYY). There use to be a way in system settings but it seems to have gone.

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Answer 3

Leo Bloom Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 22, 2026 6:42 AM in response to Leo Bloom

How strange, it's back in settings. I could have sworn it wasn't there a minute ago. :)

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Numbers: Convert CSV text dates for sorting

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