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

You can check to see if you have a subscription license by going to the menu bar and choosing Excel > About Microsoft Excel.

There are various academic licenses, not all of which provide Data Types. Your University IT shop may have turned this feature off.

Answer 3

Thanks.

Sure, as per my previous answers, I do have an Office 365 Licence Subscription.

Might be quite difficult to check if the University disabled the function, and it probably isn’t the case, but I’ll try to ask.

In the past I already had problems with Data Types not working, so I think it’s still an Excel issue, might be wrong but looking elsewhere on forums and reddit, appears to be a common issue.

Many report that Data Types stop working from time to time without notice.

Answer 4

I have the a similar problem to BacovUnits one. In my case the Data Types don't even show in the ribbon anymore.
I was able to see and use data types perfectly about a week ago and now it is gone. After trying several different advices on how to handle the issue I still can't use it either.

As I am also using a Universities license I doubt that both BacovUnits University and mine similarly disabled the feature. So I assume there has to be a different problem.

Answer 5

Sometimes all it takes is to restart your Mac.