Convert date field to text for csv export

[boscopup]

I'm having a problem exporting a spreadsheet to csv. The file contains two date columns that need exporting. One is in the format YYYY-MM-DD for import into a MySQL date field. The other is just the year portion, which I created from the previous date column. When exporting as csv, it exports the MM/DD/YYYY format instead of what is being shown in the spreadsheet. Is there any way to convert these columns to text fields? If I try to just change them, they show the single number value of the date. Not what I want. I tried creating a second column that does =TEXT(A1, "YYYY-MM-DD"), but then I can't delete the column I got it from, which makes it difficult to export just the text field column.

Is there an easy solution? I'm thinking I may have to export two copies of the date columns, then open the csv, delete the extra columns, then save again... ?

[David]

[uros]

[probe1]

Format of CSV exported dates depend on locale language settings.
Change it to Swedish to get an date exported as yyyy-mm-dd
_________________
Cheers
Winfried
My Macros
DateTime2 extension: insert date, time or timestamp, formatted to your needs

[boscopup]

Thanks all! I got it working by doing the TEXT formula in a separate column for both date columns (formatting one "YYYY-MM-DD" and one "YYYY"), then saving as csv, then importing back into OOo, making those columns "text" during import, then deleting the original date columns and saving as csv again. Kind of a pain, but it works.

[UtahMonogamist]

Yet another solution: properly exporting MySQL dates (ISO 8601 in format "YYYY-MM-DD") to CSV but with US settings is a concern for me. I succeeded by exporting the CSV in Western Europe ISO-8859-15/EURO format in the export dialogue.

NOTES:

As suggested by probe1, I decided to install Swedish localization (patched OOo with a Swedish localization file), then tried setting Swedish file format just for the document rather than resetting global localization in Tools/Options/Language Settings/Languages (keeping $USD and other settings as appropriate for me). Whether this played a part in the successful date export or not, I'm not sure (though I'd guess this was actually due to my export filter ISO choice) -- just adding the note in case it helps.

If one is working in a file with an international file localization set, one can format problematic columns for localized use (eg setting column decimal formats with a period rather than in comma notation, setting currency characters, etc). Set column formats in the Cell Format dialog from the spreadsheet file using the preferred localization from the "Language" combo on the right, then export once everything looks good for use.

[probe1]

[theking2]