I’m trying to simplify a previously complicated flow to just extract data (specifically, trademark filing deadlines) and then paste that data (the trademark name, the application number, the type of deadline that’s coming up, and the deadline date) into a Google Sheet. I’ll have some script in the sheet to then just choose certain deadlines I need to address.
I see in the flow that the deadline dates are extracting properly, as the output from Extract Data. I connect that directly to the Google Sheet, but dates which look like 09-21-25 in the Extract Data output are being put into the sheet’s column as something like “45914”. Any idea why? Input into Google Sheets Writer is correct, as well. They’re just not being written correctly.
Hey @orko60! If you’re reporting an issue with a flow or an error in a run, please include the run link and make sure it’s shareable so we can take a look.
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Hey @orko60, could you share the workflow link you’re currently using?
The issue is most likely Google Sheets automatically interpreting your date strings as serial numbers. When a value like 09-21-25 gets written, Sheets often converts it into its internal date format (e.g. 45914).
If you can share your workflow setup, I can recommend a small tweak to prevent this. One quick option is to use a custom node that adds an apostrophe (') to the date string (e.g. '09-21-25'). This forces Google Sheets to treat it as plain text instead of converting it.
I’m hesitant to share the workflow because it may contain somewhat confidential info. Though I don’t know if the workflow itself would do that (it’s connected to my email on my end, but would that appear in the shared version?).
But what you’re saying sounds like exactly what’s happening. I will try the node you suggest and see if that works! Thanks so much.
I wonder if I set the format for that column to be the specific date format I want it to use, would that work?
It worked! Thanks so much for the tip. Used an apostrophe at the beginning, and then had Google Sheets auto-format, which then removes the apostrophe automatically.
