Data Import & Export

How to Fix Incorrect Dates After Exporting a SharePoint List to Excel

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to correct dates that display an incorrect four-year offset after exporting data from a SharePoint list to an Excel spreadsheet.

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting data from a SharePoint list to analyze or store locally in an Excel workbook.
Observed behavior: Exported dates shift approximately four years into the future (e.g., 6 August 2024 displays as 7 August 2028), despite the date format appearing correct.

Before you start

Ensure that the SharePoint list was exported using the standard 'Export to Excel' button in the header, and save a backup copy of your workbook before modifying calculation settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the 1904 Date System in Excel

The four-year date offset is typically caused by Excel's 1904 date system, a legacy compatibility setting. Disabling it will revert the dates back to the standard 1900 date system.

Excel supports two date systems: the 1900 date system (default for Windows) and the 1904 date system (historically used for early Macintosh computers). When a workbook is set to use the 1904 date system, all dates are shifted forward by exactly 1,462 days (approximately four years).

If your exported SharePoint data arrives in a workbook where this setting is accidentally enabled, you will immediately see this four-year discrepancy.

Open Excel Options

Open the affected exported workbook in Excel. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Advanced Settings

In the Excel Options dialog box, click on 'Advanced' in the left-hand pane.

Disable the 1904 Date System

Scroll down to the section labeled 'When calculating this workbook'. Find and uncheck the box next to 'Use 1904 date system'.

Apply and Save

Click 'OK' at the bottom of the dialog box. The dates in your spreadsheet should instantly shift back to their correct SharePoint values. Save the file.

Existing Dates May Shift: Disabling the 1904 date system alters how Excel calculates all dates in that specific workbook. If you manually typed any dates while the 1904 system was active, those specific dates will shift backward by four years and may need to be re-entered.

Manage Exported Data Smoothly

Fix SharePoint Export Dates Using WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides a straightforward way to open SharePoint exports and easily adjust workbook calculation settings, allowing you to instantly fix the 1904 date system offset and view your data accurately.

1. Open the Exported File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the file you exported from your SharePoint list.
2. Access Options: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner of the WPS interface and select 'Options' from the drop-down list.
3. Go to Calculation Settings: In the Options dialog, click on the 'Calculation' tab located in the left navigation pane.
4. Uncheck 1904 Date System: Locate the 'Workbook options' section, uncheck the '1904 date system' box, and click 'OK' to instantly correct your dates.

Easily toggle and fix 1904 date system formatting errorsFully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, and .csv)Lightweight application that handles large exported datasets smoothlyIntuitive interface for managing advanced workbook calculation settings

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1904 date system and why does it exist?

The 1904 date system is a date calculation method where January 1, 1904, is considered the starting serial date (Serial Number 0). It was originally created for early Macintosh computers, unlike the default Windows system which uses January 1, 1900. The difference between the two systems is exactly 1,462 days.

Why do SharePoint exports trigger the 1904 date system?

SharePoint itself does not use the 1904 date system. This issue usually occurs if the destination Excel workbook, or the default Excel template (Book.xltx) on your computer, was previously saved with the 1904 date system enabled. Excel simply applies this workbook-level setting to the imported data.

Will disabling the 1904 date system affect other workbooks?

No. The 1904 date system is a workbook-level setting. Changing it only affects the specific spreadsheet you currently have open and will not alter how dates are calculated in your other Excel files.

How do I correctly export a SharePoint list to Excel to avoid formatting issues?

To ensure data integrity, always navigate to your SharePoint list, select the 'Export' dropdown in the command bar at the top, and choose 'Export to Excel'. This downloads a web query file (.iqy) that securely and dynamically pulls the list data into Excel using your credentials.

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