Function Problems

How to Fix XLOOKUP and FILTER Not Available in Microsoft 365 Excel

Phi Hung Vo Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user cannot access or use the XLOOKUP and FILTER functions in Excel despite having installed a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.

How to Fix XLOOKUP and FILTER Not Available in Microsoft 365 Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Surface Pro
Scenario: Attempting to use advanced Excel functions (XLOOKUP and FILTER) after freshly installing Microsoft 365 Personal.
Observed behavior: XLOOKUP and FILTER functions are missing or unrecognized. Standard troubleshooting steps, including repairing Office and restarting the Surface Pro, did not resolve the problem.

Before you start

Make sure your Surface Pro is connected to the internet so you can successfully verify your Microsoft 365 subscription status and download the latest software updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Version and Update Microsoft 365

Check your exact Excel build number and force an update to ensure you have the latest Microsoft 365 features, which natively include XLOOKUP and FILTER.

XLOOKUP is supported in Microsoft 365 and Office 2021, while FILTER requires a version newer than Office 2019. Sometimes, a fresh installation may install an older build that requires an immediate manual update.

Open Account Settings

Launch Microsoft Excel and click on 'File' in the top-left corner. From the left sidebar, select 'Account'.

Check the Current Version

Under 'Product Information', verify your subscription type and check the exact build number. Both functions work correctly in builds such as version 2406, build 17726.20126.

Force an Update

Click the 'Update Options' button next to Office Updates and select 'Update Now' from the dropdown menu.

Restart Excel

Once the updates are downloaded and installed, restart Excel and try typing =XLOOKUP in a cell to confirm it is available.

Automatic Verification: Updating Office forces it to synchronize with Microsoft's servers, which often refreshes your feature rollout permissions.

Solution 2

Clear Outdated Office Credentials

Remove old licensing credentials from a previous installation (like Office 2016) that might be overriding your Microsoft 365 features.

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Use WPS Office for Powerful Spreadsheet Functions

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1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and run the quick installer.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and click 'Open' to import your existing .xlsx workbooks.
3. Use Advanced Formulas: Access the formula bar to immediately use powerful spreadsheet functions without dealing with complex subscription limitations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Excel versions support the XLOOKUP function?

XLOOKUP is natively supported in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and Office 2021 or newer standalone versions. It is not available in Office 2019, Office 2016, or older versions.

Which Excel versions support the FILTER function?

The FILTER function requires a version newer than Office 2019. It is fully supported in Microsoft 365 and Office 2021, allowing you to filter a range of data based on defined criteria.

Why would Microsoft 365 act like an older version of Office?

If an older version like Office 2016 was previously installed on your device, its activation credentials might still be cached in the Windows Credential Manager. This conflict can cause Microsoft 365 to incorrectly apply legacy licensing limitations, thereby hiding newer functions.

Excel & Data Problems