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How to Fix Excel Online Reverting to US Date and Currency Formats
Question details
Users experience an issue where Excel for the web displays SharePoint files with US date and currency formats, even when desktop applications are set to UK regional settings.
- Product
- Excel for the web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing Excel files hosted on SharePoint through web browsers like Chrome or Edge.
- Observed behavior
- Excel for the web ignores the local desktop UK regional settings and continuously reverts to US formats for dates and currencies, despite clearing browser caches and adjusting profile settings.
Ensure you have the necessary administrative or site owner permissions to access and modify SharePoint site regional settings and your Microsoft 365 profile preferences.
Update Microsoft 365 Profile and SharePoint Site Regional Settings
Align the regional settings of your SharePoint site and Microsoft 365 profile to ensure Excel Online displays the correct localized formats.
Excel for the web relies on the regional settings associated with your Microsoft 365 account or the specific SharePoint site hosting the file, rather than your computer's local desktop Excel preferences.
Log into your Microsoft 365 account, click on your profile picture, go to 'My Account', navigate to 'Settings & Privacy', and update your 'Language and Region' format to your preferred region (e.g., UK).
Navigate to the SharePoint site hosting the Excel file. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner and select 'Site Information', followed by 'View all site settings'.
Under the 'Site Administration' section, click 'Regional settings'. Change the Locale setting to match your desired regional format and click 'OK' to save.
Open a private or incognito browser window, sign into your Microsoft 365 account, and reopen the Excel workbook to confirm the date and currency formats have updated correctly.
Apply Unambiguous ISO Dates and Explicit Currency Formatting
Use standardized and explicit cell formatting to prevent regional misinterpretation during critical data sharing and imports.
Use WPS Office for Consistent Regional Formats
If Excel Online continues to override your local formatting, WPS Office provides a reliable, lightweight desktop alternative. Your regional date and currency formats remain exactly as configured on your local device.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the download button to get the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your .xlsx files to edit them with your local regional settings perfectly preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel Online show dates in US format when my PC is set to UK?
Excel for the web relies on the regional settings of your Microsoft 365 cloud profile and the SharePoint server where the file is stored, completely bypassing your local Windows computer settings.
How do I clear the browser cache to fix formatting issues in Excel for the web?
In Chrome or Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear browsing data menu. Select 'Cached images and files' and 'Cookies', then click 'Clear data'. Restart the browser before reopening your file.
Will changing SharePoint regional settings affect other users?
Yes, modifying the SharePoint site regional settings updates the default date, time, and currency formats for all users who view files hosted on that specific site without having their own explicit personal overrides.
Can I force a specific currency symbol in Excel regardless of the region?
Yes. Select your cells, right-click and choose 'Format Cells', navigate to the 'Currency' or 'Accounting' category, and explicitly select your desired currency symbol from the dropdown menu instead of leaving it as the regional default.
