'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Excel Date Picker Compatibility in 32-Bit and 64-Bit Office
Question details
Users experience compatibility issues when sharing workbooks containing ActiveX date pickers across different architectures (32-bit and 64-bit) and operating systems.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows, macOS
- Scenario
- Opening and interacting with a shared Excel workbook that contains a date picker control.
- Observed behavior
- The ActiveX date picker fails to load, functions incorrectly, or throws errors when opened in 64-bit Excel or Excel for Mac.
Verify whether the users interacting with your shared workbook are using 32-bit Office, 64-bit Office, or Excel for Mac, and ensure that macro execution is enabled in their Excel Trust Center settings.
Replace the ActiveX Control with a VBA UserForm Date Picker
Implement a VBA UserForm date picker to ensure native compatibility across 32-bit Windows, 64-bit Windows, and macOS environments.
Legacy ActiveX controls are natively incompatible with 64-bit Office architectures and are entirely unsupported in Excel for Mac. By importing a VBA UserForm-based date picker, the tool becomes part of the workbook's underlying code.
This ensures the calendar functions seamlessly for anyone who opens the file, without requiring them to download local compatibility patches.
Open your Excel workbook, navigate to the Developer tab, click on Design Mode, select the problematic ActiveX date picker, and press the Delete key to remove it.
Press ALT + F11 on your keyboard to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor.
Right-click on your VBAProject in the Project Explorer pane on the left, select Import File, and browse for a pre-built UserForm date picker (.frm file) obtained from a trusted Excel developer resource.
Double-click the specific Worksheet module in the Project Explorer and insert a 'Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick' event. Add the code to display your new UserForm (e.g., 'DatePickerForm.Show') when a specific cell range is double-clicked.
Go to File > Save As, and change the file format to Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm) to ensure the VBA code is preserved when sharing.
Install a Third-Party Date Picker Add-in
Use a specialized Excel add-in to restore date picker functionality if you prefer not to work with VBA code.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
Dealing with legacy ActiveX controls and VBA architecture limitations across different Office versions can be frustrating. WPS Office offers a modern, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for your spreadsheet needs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the setup file and follow the lightweight installation process.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel workbooks directly without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my ActiveX date picker not work in 64-bit Excel?
ActiveX controls were originally designed for 32-bit system architectures. Microsoft has not updated many legacy ActiveX controls (like the MSCOMCT2.OCX MonthView control) for 64-bit compatibility, causing them to fail or display errors in 64-bit Excel environments.
Will a VBA UserForm date picker work in Excel for Mac?
Yes. Unlike ActiveX controls which are strictly tied to the Windows operating system, VBA UserForms are natively supported in Excel for Mac. As long as the user enables macros, the UserForm date picker will function correctly.
Do my colleagues need to install anything if I use a UserForm date picker?
No. When you build or import a UserForm date picker, it becomes embedded within the workbook's VBA project. Your colleagues only need to open the file and enable macros; no local add-ins or installations are required.
Does Microsoft Excel have a modern built-in date picker?
Microsoft has recently started rolling out a native, modern cell-based date picker in Excel for the Web and newer Microsoft 365 desktop builds. However, users on older perpetual licenses (like Office 2016 or 2019) will not have access to this feature, making VBA solutions still relevant for backwards compatibility.
