Date handling in popular CAR applications

A reference table comparing how popular computer-aided reporting (CAR) applications handle date ranges and two-digit year defaults, showing variations in start dates, end dates, and century interpretation rules across programs like Excel, Access, FoxPro, Quattro Pro, Paradox, Lotus 1-2-3, and Lotus Approach.

PROGRAM START DATE END DATE Two-DIGIT YEAR DEFAULTS Excel 97 Jan. 1, 1900 Dec. 31, 9999 00-29=2000 30-99=1900 Excel 98 for Macintosh Jan. 2, 1904 Dec. 31, 9999 Access for Windows 97 Dec. 31, 9999 Same as Excel FoxPro Dec. 31, 9999 Quattro Pro 8 Jan. 1, 1600 Dec. 31, 9999 00-50=2000 51-99=1900 Paradox 8 9999 BC Dec. 31, 9999 00-50=2000 51-99=1900 Lotus 123 Jan. 1, 1900 Lotus Approach

Sources: Microsoft, Corel, Lotus. Note: Earlier versions of these programs handle dates differently. Check your documentation.