Office Settings & Configuration

How to Add an Excel Date Picker When the Microsoft Store Is Blocked

Steve K Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to add a date picker or calendar control to their Excel spreadsheet, but cannot download it because their organization has blocked access to the Microsoft Store.

How to Add an Excel Date Picker When the Microsoft Store Is Blocked

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to install a productivity add-in (date picker) in a restricted corporate IT environment.
Observed behavior: The Microsoft Store is blocked, preventing the user from searching for, downloading, or installing standard Excel add-ins.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft 365 user permissions and identify your organization's IT administrator, as you will need their approval to deploy restricted add-ins.

Solution 1Recommended

Request Admin Approval and Centralized Deployment

Since the Microsoft Store is blocked, the safest and most reliable method is to have your Microsoft 365 Administrator deploy the date picker add-in centrally.

Organizations block the Microsoft Store to maintain security and prevent unauthorized software installations. To bypass this restriction safely, administrators can use Centralized Deployment to push approved add-ins directly to your Excel application without requiring access to the store.

Identify the Add-in

Find the specific name of the date picker add-in you wish to use (for example, 'Mini Calendar and Date Picker' from the Microsoft AppSource repository) so your IT admin knows exactly what to review.

Contact Your Administrator

Submit a request to your IT support desk or Microsoft 365 administrator, asking them to approve and deploy the specific add-in for your account or user group.

Access the Deployed Add-in in Excel

Once the admin has completed the deployment via the Microsoft 365 admin center, open Excel and navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon.

Insert the Date Picker

Click on 'My Add-ins' (or 'Get Add-ins') and switch to the 'Admin Managed' tab. Select the newly approved date picker and click 'Add' to insert it into your spreadsheet.

Request Admin Approval and Centralized Deployment

Security Warning: Avoid downloading unverified macros or executable files from third-party websites as workarounds. These are often flagged by security software and may compromise your corporate network.

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1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there built-in alternatives to a date picker add-in in Excel?

Yes, while not a visual calendar, you can use Excel's 'Data Validation' feature to create a drop-down list of acceptable dates. Go to the Data tab, select Data Validation, choose 'List', and reference a range of dates.

Can I use VBA macros instead of a Store add-in for a date picker?

You can use VBA to create a custom UserForm calendar. However, keep in mind that organizations that block the Microsoft Store typically have strict security policies that may also restrict or block the execution of VBA macros.

Where can I find admin-approved add-ins in Excel?

To view add-ins approved by your organization, go to the 'Insert' tab, click 'My Add-ins', and look under the 'Admin Managed' tab. Any software deployed by your IT department will appear here.

Is it safe to download date picker files from third-party sites?

No. Downloading unverified add-ins, templates, or macros from untrusted sources poses a significant security risk. Always use solutions approved and deployed by your organization's IT department.

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