Data Import & Export

How to Fix Microsoft Forms Exporting Dates in US Format Instead of UK

Khadija Khan Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to export Microsoft Forms data to Excel using the UK date format (DD/MM/YYYY) instead of the default US format (MM/DD/YYYY).

How to Fix Microsoft Forms Exporting Dates in US Format Instead of UK

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting survey or quiz responses from Microsoft Forms to an Excel spreadsheet for data analysis.
Observed behavior: Dates are exported in the US format (MM/DD/YYYY) even if the user's Microsoft 365 and Excel accounts are configured to use UK regional settings.

Before you start

Save any open work in your browser and ensure you have access to your web browser's language preferences before making changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Browser Language Settings to English (UK)

Since Microsoft Forms relies on browser settings rather than your Microsoft 365 account preferences, changing your browser's primary language to English (UK) resolves the date format issue.

Microsoft Forms currently lacks a native setting to configure date formats for exports. When generating the Excel file, it reads the preferred language from the web browser you are actively using.

Open browser settings

Launch your Chromium-based browser (such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge), click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner, and select 'Settings'.

Navigate to language preferences

In the settings sidebar, click on 'Languages' or use the settings search bar to find the language menu.

Add English (United Kingdom)

Click 'Add languages', search for 'English (United Kingdom)', check the box next to it, and click 'Add'.

Set as preferred language

Click the three dots next to 'English (United Kingdom)' and select 'Move to the top' to make it your browser's primary language.

Remove US English and restart

To prevent conflicts, click the three dots next to 'English (United States)' and select 'Remove'. Restart your browser, open Microsoft Forms, and export your data again.

Change Browser Language Settings to English (UK)

Export Successful: Newly exported Microsoft Forms spreadsheets will now display dates in the standard UK DD/MM/YYYY format.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Easily Convert US Dates to UK Dates in WPS Spreadsheet

If you have already downloaded your Microsoft Forms data and the dates are stuck in the US format, you can quickly reformat them to the UK standard directly within WPS Spreadsheet using built-in data conversion tools.

1. Open the exported file: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the Excel file you downloaded from Microsoft Forms.
2. Select the date column: Click on the column letter header to highlight all the cells containing the US formatted dates.
3. Use Text to Columns: Navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Text to Columns' button.
4. Convert the date format: Choose 'Delimited' and click Next twice to reach Step 3. Select 'Date', choose 'MDY' (Month-Day-Year) from the dropdown to identify the current format, and click Finish.
5. Apply UK formatting: Right-click the selected column, choose 'Format Cells', go to the 'Number' tab, select 'Date', and pick your preferred UK DD/MM/YYYY layout.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Quickly convert date formats (US to UK) using the Text to Columns tool.Lightweight software with a familiar, user-friendly interface.Completely free alternative for handling everyday spreadsheet tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Forms ignore my Microsoft 365 regional settings when exporting?

Microsoft Forms does not natively link its export settings to your Microsoft 365 account's regional preferences. Instead, it reads the preferred language configuration of the web browser you are using at the exact moment you click the export button.

Will changing my browser language affect other websites?

Yes. Setting your primary browser language to English (UK) will prompt any website that supports multiple English regional variants to display localized content, spelling, and dates in the UK format.

Can I permanently change the date format inside Microsoft Forms?

Currently, Microsoft Forms does not provide a dedicated in-app setting to toggle date formats. Microsoft recommends submitting a feature request through their official feedback portal if you require native date-format controls.

Excel & Data Problems