Calc: How to disable number formatting

[feeela]

I’m searching for a way to disable the very annoying number formatting in Libre Office Calc. Whenever I enter some number or a string containing numbers, LO is trying to format a date out of it.

Pseudo-solutions:

I’ve found some so-called-solutions, but none of these works.

• Format cells to “text” – works, but only as long as one pastes or deletes from/to a specific cell. For example, if I paste some content, the formatting is lost again.
• Start typing with a single quote '. Not an option in daily working routine, just to enter a numeric string.
• Deselect Tools > AutoCorrect > Options > Apply Numbering – there is no such option in Libre Office (at least not in version 3.5).

Use cases:

• 2-3 means “two to three whatever”
• 5.2 is the code following 5.1
• 6. refers to the sixth item

All those values are translated to some random date in Libre Office by default. I guess they were on drugs when implementing such a bug into the program.

Is there a global setting to turn off that featurebug?

[ROSt53]

When I look at the the examples given under “Use cases:” I wonder if Calc is the right application to be used for what Anonymus is using it.

To me it appears that a table in Writer might be the more suitable application.

[erAck]

Use version 3.6.2 or later, where date recognition is restricted to the current locale’s date acceptance patterns and you could even edit the patterns, see https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/ReleaseNotes/3.6#Localization

[horst]

The old 1-2-3 trick works only on formulas like 2-3. Whats the trick? Start the entry with a Blank.

[RonJohn63]

Or type a leading single-quote. (Not a back-tick!!)

[ROSt53]

@erAck: Thanks for your hint about localization of date entries