Data Import & Export

How to Fix Excel Dates Displayed as Hash Symbols After Dynamics 365 Refresh

Khadija Khan Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to correct date-time values exported from Dynamics 365 that turn into hash symbols or large numbers in Excel upon refreshing the data connection.

How to Fix Excel Dates Displayed as Hash Symbols After Dynamics 365 Refresh

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Refreshing a data connection in Excel for records previously exported from Dynamics 365.
Observed behavior: Dates initially appear correct upon export but change to hash symbols (#####) or large, invalid numeric values after the Excel data is refreshed.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the original Dynamics 365 view and check your computer's regional settings, as the use of commas or semicolons in Excel formulas depends on your system locale.

Solution 1Recommended

Import Dynamics 365 Data via Power Query (Recommended)

The most reliable method to prevent formatting loss upon refresh is to export the data as a CSV and import it using Power Query with the correct locale settings.

Directly exporting to Excel from Dynamics 365 can sometimes cause background formatting mismatches during refreshes. Bypassing the direct export and utilizing Power Query gives you absolute control over data types and region-specific date formats.

Export from Dynamics 365

In your Dynamics 365 environment, navigate to the target view and choose the option to export your data as a CSV file instead of an Excel worksheet.

Import using Power Query

Open a blank Excel workbook, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, and select 'Get Data' > 'From File' > 'From Text/CSV'.

Open the Transform Data window

Select the CSV file you downloaded. When the preview window appears, click the 'Transform Data' button to open the Power Query Editor.

Adjust the column locale

Right-click the header of the column containing the dates, select 'Change Type', and then click 'Using Locale...'. Choose 'Date/Time' and select the locale region that matches your Dynamics 365 settings.

Load data into Excel

Once the dates display correctly in the preview, click 'Close & Load' in the top-left corner to import the stable, properly formatted data into your spreadsheet.

Import Dynamics 365 Data via Power Query (Recommended)

Persistent Formatting: Because Power Query enforces the data type during the import process, subsequent data refreshes will not break the date format.

Solution 2

Use a Text Extraction Formula Workaround

If you need a quick fix without re-importing the data, a formula can extract the date portion from the corrupted cell, though it will remove the time value.

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Seamlessly Import and Format Exported Data in WPS Spreadsheets

Avoid broken dates and format corruption by using WPS Spreadsheets to handle your exported CSV data. It provides straightforward text-to-columns and data import tools to accurately map date and time formats.

1. Launch WPS Spreadsheets: Open a new blank workbook in WPS Spreadsheets and navigate to the 'Data' tab.
2. Start the import process: Click 'Import Data' from the ribbon and select the CSV file you exported from Dynamics 365.
3. Set delimiters: In the Text Import Wizard, choose 'Delimited' and check the box for the correct separator used in your file (usually a comma or semicolon).
4. Define date column formats: In the final step of the wizard, click on the column containing your dates, select the 'Date' format option, and choose the correct layout (e.g., MDY or DMY).
5. Finish the import: Click 'Finish' to complete the import. WPS Spreadsheets will map the dates perfectly, preventing them from turning into hash symbols.

Free to download and use with a highly familiar user interfaceFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and CSV formatsIntuitive data import wizard prevents date formatting errors nativelyLightweight, fast, and stable even when handling large exported datasets

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do dates turn into hash symbols (#####) in Excel?

Hash symbols primarily appear when a column is simply too narrow to display the date. However, during a data refresh, it can also happen if Excel incorrectly reads a date-time value as a negative number or encounters an unsupported format.

Why does my formula require a semicolon instead of a comma?

Excel formula separators are determined by your computer's regional settings. Regions that use a comma as a decimal separator (like many European countries) require a semicolon (;) to separate formula arguments instead of a comma.

Does the LEFT formula workaround keep the time data?

No. Using a formula like =--LEFT(D2,5) only extracts the first 5 digits, which represent the numerical date value in Excel. The decimal portion representing the specific time of day is stripped out.

How do I fix the column width if that's the only issue causing hash symbols?

You can auto-fit the column width by double-clicking the right boundary of the column letter at the top of the worksheet, or manually click and drag the boundary to the right to reveal the full date string.

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