Why the Excel Add Column Option Is Missing from Stocks in Office Professional Plus 2019
Question details
The user needs to understand why the Add Column option for the Stocks data type is unavailable in Excel with Office Professional Plus 2019.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel - Office Professional Plus 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is working in Excel Data Types and tries to use the Stocks feature to add linked data columns.
- Observed behavior
- The Add Column option is missing, and the Stocks data type does not provide the expected column choices.
Check your Excel version and Microsoft 365 subscription status before troubleshooting. Stocks and Geography data types require a Microsoft 365 subscription, so Office Professional Plus 2019 does not include them.
Confirm your Office version and subscribe to Microsoft 365 if you need Excel Stocks data types
Use this solution to verify that the missing Add Column option is caused by the Office Professional Plus 2019 license limitation and to enable the feature with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Excel Stocks and Geography data types are Microsoft 365 subscriber features. Office Professional Plus 2019 is a one-time purchase product and does not include these connected data types, so the Add Column option is intentionally unavailable.
In Excel, click File > Account to view your product name and subscription status.
Check whether the product is Microsoft 365 or Office Professional Plus 2019. Stocks and Geography data types are not included in Office Professional Plus 2019.
If you need the Stocks data type, go to the Microsoft 365 subscription page, sign in with your Microsoft account, and choose a plan that includes Excel data types.
After subscribing, restart Excel and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Use WPS Spreadsheets for Excel-compatible work without a Microsoft 365 subscription
Choose this solution if you do not need the Microsoft 365 Stocks data type and want a free way to open and edit Excel workbooks.
Use WPS Office as a Free Microsoft Office Alternative for Everyday Spreadsheets
WPS Office gives you a free, lightweight Office suite with full Microsoft Excel format compatibility, a familiar ribbon interface, and smooth migration for everyday spreadsheet tasks when a Microsoft 365-only feature such as Stocks data types is not required.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to the official WPS website and click Download WPS Office Free.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and complete the installation on your PC.
- 3. Open your Excel workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click File > Open, and select your .xlsx file to continue working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Excel Stocks data type included with Office Professional Plus 2019?
No. Excel Stocks and Geography data types are Microsoft 365 subscription features. Office Professional Plus 2019 does not include them, so the Add Column option is not available.
How do I check whether my Excel version supports Stocks data types?
In Excel, click File > Account. If the product is Microsoft 365, the data types can be used after signing in. If it is Office Professional Plus 2019, Stocks data types are not included.
Will subscribing to Microsoft 365 restore the Add Column option for Stocks?
Yes. After you subscribe to Microsoft 365, open Excel, sign in with your Microsoft account, and restart the application. The Stocks data type and Add Column option should then be available.
Can WPS Office add the Excel Stocks data type?
WPS Office is a free Microsoft Office alternative that opens and edits Excel workbooks, but it does not provide Microsoft's subscription-only Stocks data type. Use WPS Spreadsheets for everyday spreadsheet tasks and Microsoft 365 when you need that specific data type.
Do I need to reinstall Office after subscribing to Microsoft 365?
Usually no. Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account in Excel under File > Account and restart Excel. If the feature still does not appear, update Office from File > Account > Update Options.
