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

I have already done that several times. As well as uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office, checking the privacy settings, changing the language, checking for new updates for both Excel and my Mac, logging out and back in, and all the other fixes that I was able to find in the Community.

Answer 3

Hi

I think the problem here is that you have an education license, which is not a standard license.. Data Types are available only to Worldwide Multi-Tenant clients (standard Microsoft 365 accounts). Education accounts can be free, but Microsoft doesn't foot the bill for third party providers such as the ones for the Data Types feature.

Answer 4

I assume you already are, but one person found that they did not see the new Data Types because they had not signed in to Office ...

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Talk to another staff member with a similar license to see if they have the same problem.

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Check with your school help desk to confirm you have an A3 or A5 subscription (A1 is online only, I don't know if A1 Plus is supported).

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AFIK, the data types are available to all of the 365 licenses, no exclusion.

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This FAQ page

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/linked-data-types-faq-and-tips-d48d6394-c83a-43cd-9d94-78257102f054 

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Immediately below the text cited by Jim Gordon the page goes on to say:

<snip>

In order to access data types that link to external sources of data such as Bing, Wolfram, and more, you must meet the requirements below. To see what data types are currently available, see What linked data types are available in Excel? 

For data types powered by Wolfram for family or education

• Have an active Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription. or a Microsoft 365 Education (A1, A3, or A5) subscription.
• Use the up-to-date Excel app or Excel for the web.
• Have the English authoring language added to Office Language Preferences.

</snip>

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<snip>

Certain data types are only available in specific languages at this time. In order to access and use them, you can add an editing language to your Office Language Preferences.

• Data types powered by Wolfram: English only.
• Stocks and Geography data types: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese only.

We are working on adding more languages in the future.

</snip>

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Since you are asking the question in the English speaking forum, I suppose the point is mute, but YNK, it may apply to some people with this problem.

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What is your geographic location? aka What country are you in?

Feature may not be supported globally ... (but that seems unlikely since you had the feature then lost it ... )

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Bonus Reading

MS list of new data types

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-linked-data-types-are-available-in-excel-6510ab58-52f6-4368-ba0f-6a76c0190772

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https://office-watch.com/2022/more-linked-data-types-excel-365/  2022 02 15

More about new data types

Answer 5

Her is an "old" (3 years) article that addresses the issue. In theory these problems should have been fixed by now. But ... this is MS so work through the tips here:

. https://office-watch.com/2022/more-linked-data-types-excel-365/