How can I fix this problem in Excel?

I try to type 1–4 in a cell but when I press tab to go on to the next cell it autocorrects to January 4. Even if I put a space between the dashes 1 – 4 excel still recognizes it and changes it. I find this extremely annoying. How can I fix this?

People in the library are thinking who’s that psycho guy swearing to himself ~