Scientists and data enthusiasts rejoice as Microsoft fixes one of Excel’s most annoying ‘features’
Excel won’t automatically convert alphanumeric symbols into dates.
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What you need to know
Microsoft is finallyfixing an annoying Excel featurethat data enthusiasts and scientists will appreciate. You might recallthe automatic data conversion feature, which shipped to the platform last year for Windows and Mac users. It’s essentially designed to help users control how and whether the data entered into the spreadsheet is automatically converted to specific formats.
While it’s a resourceful feature, it doesn’t play nicely with alphanumeric symbols, as it converts gene numbers and other scientific data into dates. However, this will no longer be the case as Microsoft is rolling out a new update for Windows and Mac users to address this issue.
We wanted to address customers’ frustration with Excel automatically converting data to specific formats. So, we have now given you the ability to change Excel’s default behavior and disable specific types of automatic data conversions as needed.
Consequently, users will now be able to establish more control over the automatic conversion of their data. Users will also receive a notification from Excel highlighting the automatic conversion before it takes place. This will give the user ample time to decide if this is a change they’d like to implement on the file.
Users will need to navigate through the settings to disable these features since they are enabled by default so as to ensure that their data is not affected by the feature. Users can also prevent automatic data conversion while loading a .csv or similar file on the platform. However, the features won’t work during macro execution.
How to disable automatic data conversion on Microsoft Excel
As highlighted above, automatic data conversion settings are enabled by default. You’ll need to navigate through the settings to disable them, as outlined below:
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Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
