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I renewed my subscription to Microsoft 365 on or about 4 December 2025 but Excel does not have the facility to auto refresh a pivot table.
From research I understand that this facility was built into 365 between July & November, so why doesn't the software that I have paid for and downloaded include the auto refresh facility?
A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
Is this where you're looking:
If it isn't there...Please go to Excel> About Microsoft Excel in the Excel menu bar to determine the present Version Number & type of License. Include that information in your reply here.
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I am having this same issue, except mine is not even there!
This thread is nearly one year old. It Much has changed since this was active.
It would be to your advantage to submit a New Question rather than burying it in a old Mac thread. State all current version information as well as any pertinent details. Use the Ask a Question button in the upper right corner of this page.
Also, it appears you're using a Windows version. If so be sure to select the correct platform when you create the question.
Unfortunately I'm not sure what else to suggest other than pointing you to this Microsoft blog post:
Keep data updated with PivotTable Auto Refresh in Excel
Perhaps something there will be useful, especially in the Tips & Tricks section.
I have just seen the attached - the auto refresh is 'greyed out' so how can I get that to be a selection?
I am an 'ancient' amateur user of Excel etc but am not in the category that understands all the tech jargon!
Mention of Insider/Beta builds like Windows 2506 (19008.2000+) or Mac 16.99+ and Current Channel leaves me in no doubt that I am out of my depth!
The only version number I can find is what I have already provided. The pivot table I created uses a table in the workbook, not from external source.
It would seem the best course of action for me, is no action, and have wait until Microsoft can accept that there is a gap in their system/software which must affect a lot of users that are in my position.
I should not blame others for my inadequacies but if you do have a line to Microsoft that can understand my frustration and convince them to update their basic package so that normal people can use the 'auto refresh' facilities, I would appreciate that
I don't want to give up but thanks you Bob and Aron for trying to help me so far.
Richard
Please disregard any reference to Windows. In most cases it is irrelevant & including it in a reply to a Mac user merely causes confusion.
Microsoft currently offers 3 Mac Office Update Channels to choose from:
The Current Channel is best for most users because it provides the finalized version of the update. The Beta Channel & the Current Channel (Preview) are early releases which still may contain bugs or content for testing purposes which may not be included in the final release.
Have you never had the Auto Refresh tool or is it recently gone missing?
Re-apply the latest Excel update by using this link: Update package
Thanks for comments and apologies for delayed response - have only just seen your comment of 19 Dec.
Seems I am on Current Channel. No never had auto refresh and was not aware of the facility until I was curious and googled it. Have used pivot tables for a long time and would have seen the auto refresh option each time I manually refreshed. Have used the update package which confirmed excel up to date.
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I get what you’re running into.
Auto Refresh for PivotTables was added in mid-2025 but it’s still rolling out, and right now it only works on Insider/Beta builds like Windows 2506 (19008.2000+) or Mac 16.99+.
Renewing your subscription doesn’t change your update channel, so if you’re on the Current Channel, the feature won’t appear yet.
For now, you can enable “Refresh data when opening the file” in PivotTable Options, make sure the source is an Excel Table, and confirm calculation isn’t set to Manual.
What version and channel do your Excel show, and is your PivotTable linked to an external source or just a table in the workbook?
Regards,
Aron
Thanks again.
Belongs to : my personal email address ie I use/registered it for personal use.
Last started when upgraded to Mac version MacOS Tahoe 26.2 so have therefore restarted but no change. Viewed on full screen, so unless hidden in some other heading, still not visible.
File is saved in current file .xlsx.
Am at a loss as to what else can be done??!!