Background
To bulk import data into Deputy, managers can download a sample spreadsheet template to populate with information or in some cases download a copy of their own account data to update the information in spreadsheet editor software and then reimport the new information back into Deputy.
Deputy requires all dates (eg. hire date, date of birth, shift start date) used in the bulk importing of information to be formatted as YYYY-MM-DD and will also export any date information in this format.
This example shows the correct date format for uploading the information to Deputy.
Issue with date format in Excel
If a manager opens a downloaded spreadsheet file from Deputy (either .XLSX or .CSV file formats) in the Microsoft Excel program then you may find that the dates are formatted in DD/MM/YYYY or some other format.
Even if you use the Format cells functionality in Excel to change the date format to YYYY-MM-DD and save the file, the next time you open the file in Excel it will revert to the original date format and you will need to reformat the date cells every time you open the file.
One solution is to change the default date format within Excel so that the date format is correct every time you open the Excel file and do not need to format it before upload to Deputy.
How to change the default date format in Excel
Mac
1. Quit out of the Microsoft Excel program on your computer.
2. Open the System Settings on your Macbook
3. Under General select Language & Region
4. Select the date format YYYY-MM-DD
5. Start Excel and open your spreadsheet file, all dates should now be presented in YYYY-MM-DD.
6. You may now update any other information in your spreadsheet, save the Excel file and continue with the bulk import.
Windows computer
1. Quit out of the Microsoft Excel program on your computer.
2. Click the Windows Start button, search for Control Panel, and select it.
3. Select Region in the Control Panel options.
4. In the Change date formats, select the Short date format as YYYY-MM-DD
5. Start Excel and open your spreadsheet file, all dates should now be presented in YYYY-MM-DD.
6. You may now update any other information in your spreadsheet, save the Excel file and continue with the bulk import.