How to Find Missing Data Options in Excel 2013
Question details
The user is looking for the 'Data' section under Excel Options to configure Get Data commands, but the section is completely missing.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to follow modern Excel tutorials that reference 'File > Options > Data' to import external data or restore legacy Get Data commands.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Data' category is absent from the Excel 2013 Options sidebar, preventing the user from finding the required settings.
Verify that you are indeed using Excel 2013 by going to File > Account, as Microsoft significantly reorganized the Options menu and data import tools in later versions like Excel 2016 and Microsoft 365.
Locate Import Commands Directly on the Data Ribbon
In Excel 2013, external data import commands are built directly into the Data tab on the ribbon rather than being hidden inside the Options menu.
Excel 2013 handles data connections differently than newer versions. Instead of toggling legacy wizards from the Options menu, the tools you need are already available on the main interface.
Launch your spreadsheet in Excel 2013 and click on the 'Data' tab located at the top of the application window.
Look for the 'Get External Data' group positioned on the far left side of the ribbon.
Choose from available direct options like 'From Access', 'From Web', or 'From Text', or click 'From Other Sources' to reveal a dropdown menu with additional connection types.
Enable the Power Query Add-in for Advanced Data Imports
If you are looking for advanced 'Get Data' capabilities similar to those in newer Excel versions, you must manually enable the Power Query COM Add-in in Excel 2013.
Upgrade to WPS Office for Intuitive Data Management
Struggling with outdated Excel 2013 interfaces and confusing feature changes? WPS Office provides a modernized, unified interface where data import features are logically organized and easy to find without digging through hidden option menus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do newer tutorials tell me to go to File > Options > Data?
Starting with Excel 2016, Microsoft integrated Power Query natively and moved the older, legacy data import wizards into the 'Data' section of the File Options menu so users could toggle them on or off. Because Excel 2013 predates this integration, the menu section simply does not exist.
How do I import data from the web in Excel 2013 without the Options menu?
Navigate directly to the 'Data' tab on your ribbon, look at the 'Get External Data' section on the left, and click 'From Web'. This will open a browser dialog where you can enter the website URL and select the data tables you wish to import.
Can I add the 'Get Data' buttons to my Quick Access Toolbar?
Yes. Right-click on any specific data import button on the Data tab (such as 'From Text' or 'From Access') and select 'Add to Quick Access Toolbar'. This pins the feature to the top of your window for immediate access.
