How do I get Excel to show Automate on the ribbon?

Question

I have been trying to get Excel to show the Automate tab on the ribbon but haven't had any luck. Here are the steps I have taken.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/scripts/testing/platform-limits?tabs=home

Under platform support click on For personal and family

These are the 3 requirements listed for getting Automate to show up on the ribbon.

1. Excel on the web or Excel for Microsoft 365.
2. Join the Microsoft 365 Insider program.
3. Internet connectivity with connected experiences enabled.

I have Excel version 2409 Build 16.0.18025.20030 installed on my PC. I sign on to my Microsoft account though Excel. I use a local user identifier to sign on to my PC.

I joined the Office 365 Insider program. First, I tried the Current Channel and went through the Office update process and later I also tried the Beta Channel and got another update installed.

I have internet connectivity, and all connected experiences are checked at Excel Options>General>Privacy Settings.

On the same page that lists the requirements there is a link that takes you to:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/scripts/testing/troubleshooting#automate-tab-not-appearing-or-office-scripts-unavailable

This page contains a list of troubleshooting steps to check if the Automate tab does not appear.

The following steps should help to troubleshoot any problems related to the Automate tab not appearing in Excel.

1. Make sure your Microsoft 365 license includes Office Scripts.
2. Ensure third-party cookies are enabled (when using Excel on the web).
3. Ensure that your admin has not disabled Office Scripts in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
4. Ensure that your admin has not configured a group policy to block Office Scripts (Windows only).
5. Install WebView2 (Windows only).
6. Ensure you're not logged in as an external or guest user to your tenant.

How can I tell if my 365 license includes Office Scripts?

I'm not using Excel on the web, so I don’t think I need to do anything with cookie settings.

There is no admin to disable office scripts, I have a personal Office 365 subscription.

I did look at my policy settlings with GPE and I don’t see anything changed from default values could be related to Office Scripts.

WebView2 is installed on my PC.

Since I can't get the Automate tab to appear I thought I would put the Automate functions on a tab that does appear. I added the Scripting Tools and Office Scripts to the Developer tab. Now the Automate functions appear on the Developer tab.

But when I click on Record Actions, I get this dialog box.

I assumed from the requirements listed for personal and family that my personal Microsoft account would give me access to Office Scripts.

Have I missed something or are Office Scripts limited to "work or student" accounts?

Answer 1

Works now with the beta channel version of Excel - Version 2410 Build 16.0.18112.20000.

Does not work with the the current channel (preview) - Version 2409 Build 16.0.18025.20030

Answer 2

Dear respected,

As per the article, it seems like personal account

As per the error message, it asks for logging primary account as a work or school account, while in article it mentioned personal accounts joined in Insider program will be able to use Office Scripts in preview. But you have also enabled the connected experiences in Excel with Beta channel, it is highly possible that the feature failed to appear due to the instability of the insider features verification or progress in service backend.

In this situation, please submit your scenario via the in-app Feedback as suggested in article.

Please understand that in this category, we mainly focus on work account and may not able to provide you correct information with personal account. And to make sure you can get the dedicated support on this scenario, also recommend you post a new thread in Microsoft 365 Insider - Microsoft Community Hub where engineers there have the experience on your scenario and give appropriate resolutions.

Your understanding is highly appreciated. Let me know if there have anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

Mia

Answer 3

I added my feedback as you suggested and found I'm not the only oe who throught Office Scripts had been opened to thiose that have personal 365 licenses. There are many other feedback entries about the same problem.