Data Types missing on Excel desktop

Question

Hi,

I recently changed organization and consequently my Office account and subscription.

Since then, I can't use the data types tool and excel doesn't recognise or update stocks data I have in my spreadsheet. It still shows the company names, but I can't update the values. Also I can't add new stocks, the Data Types tool on the ribbon is greyed out and unusable.

I checked on my online Office profile and it states that I have access to the latest version Office for desktop (Mac and PC). Also, I tried uploading my spreadsheet on Excel web and there I can update the data, the Data Types tool is available on the web based excel but not on the desktop version.

I find it odd to work through my browser and would much prefer to keep working directly via the desktop app. Is there anyway to get the Data Types function back?

I already tried signing out and back in of my office account multiple times. I checked, and my office license is valid and correctly activated. I don't know what else to try.

Currently I'm running the latest Office version: 16.59 (22031300) - Licence: Microsoft 365 Subscription

Any help is really appreciated.

Thanks.

BU

Answer 1

Hey everyone,
For you guys that have the same problem with same circumstances (Office 365 license from an education institution) you could fix this if you have pre installed the Excel prior to your new education institution license. I had Excel 2019 when the Data Types isn't showing and i had tried the Excel Web version and it showed.
In my case , first thing that i did was uninstalling every office version in my computer and reinstalled it through here https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2021-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658 

Second, i restarted my PC and opened my Excel, and i noticed that the loading tab for Excel changed from Excel 2019 to Excel Microsoft 365, and when you got into Excel, there is a little autosave widget on the right hand corner that could be toggled. If these are both shown, then most likely the Data Types would appear. If it doesn't appear, you could check in the ribbon customization tab https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/data-type-missing-in-excel-office-365-business/47a4d8ec-eac0-4d7d-ac63-b3717d1f8949 .

I know its frustrating and i hope it helps!

Answer 2

Hi Waqas, thanks.

I tried the steps you described in the following order:

1. Connected experiences were already enabled.
2. Tried rebooting in safe mode and the Data Types tool is still greyed out and not available.
3. I never installed any Excel add-ins.
4. I did as you said, moved the com.microsoft.Excel folder to the desktop and relaunched Excel. Now, the Data Types button is not greyed out but completely missing.

As you asked, I can confirm the issue is present on any new excel file I open.

As I said, the Excel version is 16.59 (22031300) - Licence: Microsoft 365 Subscription; and Mac OS version is also the latest: Monterey 12.3

Thank you.

Best,

BU

Answer 3

Hi BacovUnit,

First, my pleasure to assist you.

As per your description, please don’t worry, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation.

Since you mentioned, your Excel version of Office 365 apps is up-to date on Mac OS. As the missing “Data Type” issue can be caused by different reason, I will appreciate you can try the normal troubleshooting steps 1 by 1 below and tell us the result.

1.Go to Excel > Preferences > Privacy and make sure Connected Serves is enabled.

2.Try to reboot Mac in safe mode and determine whether background programs are causing the issue. For detailed information, please check this article.

3.Have you ever installed any add-ins for Excel? If so, please disable them.

4.Since, you mentioned even “'Ribbon & Toolbar' and it looks like Data types is there but it almost looks like I need to click the circle to select and it won't let me do that” another suggestion is to remove the Office folders from Containers folder in Library with following steps.

a: Completely quit all Office apps

b: In Finder, press COMMAND +Shift+g.

c: Enter**~/Library** and click Go

d: Go to Containers folder, find the folder called com.Microsoft.Excel

e: Move this folder to your desktop by cut&paste .

f: Relaunch Excel for Mac application and see the results.

If above suggestion does not work, to narrow down your issue, please tell us more information below to let us help you:

1. Please confirm if the issue only happens in the specific Excel file? Or all files.

2. The version of Excel and Mac OS.

I appreciate your understanding and stay safe!!

Best regards

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 4

Data types require an Office 365 subscription. They are available only to Worldwide Multi-Tenant clients (standard Microsoft 365 accounts).

https://support.office.com/en-us/f1/topic/6510ab58-52f6-4368-ba0f-6a76c0190772?showContactUsNav=False&ns=MACEXCEL&version=90

Answer 5

Did you manage to solve this issue?
Got the same exact situation in my Macbook Air M1

(Edit) Finally, I managed to solve this by fully uninstalling Excel from my MacBook (used AppCleaner), rebooting it, and installing it again from Apple App Store.

Seems to work fine, now :)

Hope it helps