Office Compatibility Issues

How to Fix Missing Excel Data Types in Excel 2021

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to find connected data types, such as Stocks, Geography, or Organization, within the Data tab of the application.

Product: Microsoft Excel 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to use connected data types in Excel 2021 for data analysis and real-time information retrieval.
Observed behavior: The connected data types gallery is completely missing or unavailable in the Data tab.

Before you start

Ensure your computer has an active internet connection, as connected data types require online access to fetch real-time information.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify License Eligibility and Sign-In Status

Connected data types are primarily Microsoft 365 features, so verifying your exact license and account sign-in status is crucial.

Perpetual-license editions like Excel 2021 often have limited or no access to connected features compared to subscription-based Microsoft 365. You must confirm that your current license supports these features and that you are signed in with the correct account.

Open Account Settings

Launch Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left sidebar.

Check Product Information

Under 'Product Information', verify whether your product is listed as a Microsoft 365 Subscription or a perpetual license like Office 2021.

Verify Sign-In

Under 'User Information', ensure you are signed in to the Microsoft account associated with your active license. If you are not signed in, click 'Sign In' and enter your credentials.

License Limitations: If your license is confirmed as Excel 2021 without a Microsoft 365 subscription, connected data types like Stocks and Geography may remain permanently unavailable by design.

Solution 2

Update Office and Reset the Ribbon

Updating your application and resetting the user interface can restore missing tabs and features if they are hidden due to a glitch.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Management

If your current Excel 2021 license limits access to advanced data features, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet tool that supports comprehensive data analysis and works seamlessly with Microsoft Excel formats without restrictive licensing.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and open WPS Spreadsheet once the installation is complete.
3. Open Existing Excel Files: Drag and drop your .xlsx files directly into WPS Spreadsheet to continue your data analysis without formatting loss.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats.Free and lightweight alternative to perpetual-license Office versions.Intuitive spreadsheet interface with familiar data analysis tools.Available across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Stocks and Geography data types available in Excel 2019 or Excel 2021?

These connected data types are primarily exclusive to Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Perpetual license versions like Excel 2019 and 2021 may have limited or no access to them, depending on regional and specific update rollouts.

Do I need an internet connection to use Excel data types?

Yes, an active internet connection is absolutely required. Excel needs to retrieve real-time data and background information for Stocks, Geography, and other connected types from online data providers.

Why is the Data Types gallery greyed out in my Excel workbook?

The Data Types gallery may be greyed out if you are working offline, signed out of your Microsoft account, or editing a file saved in an older compatibility mode (such as .xls instead of .xlsx).

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