Suggestion to translate all (or none) new forecast functions for some languages in Excel 2016

Suggestion to translate all (or none) new forecast functions for some languages in Excel 2016
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 May 14 2018
7 Comments (7 New)
Completed

Hi there,

I installed all language packs for Excel 2016, monthly targeted, by using the Office Deployment tool. I noticed, that for some languages, the new forecast functions have only be partially translated. Three languages affected are shown in the screenshot below.

 

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When a user is e.g. starting to type a function name in an Excel cell, a list of functions appears. If a user of one of the affected languages starts typing e.g. FORE, then the translated forecast function does not appear in the list. For example, if someone is using Excel in Maori, the translated forecast function appears in the list only when start typing M.

 

image.png

 

image.png

 

As the forecast functions are meaningfully grouped by the prefix FORECAST, I personally think, it would better to then translate all forecast functions or keep the currently translated one(s) in English.

 

For Catalan, we have the inverse case: all of the new forecast functions are translated except one. In this case, I would like to suggest to translate the remaining one.

 

image.png

 

 

Best,

Mourad

Comments
Microsoft

Hi @Deleted These are good suggestions. It is something our Excel Localisation team need to look at. We will let them know and come back to you. Regards, Stafford 

Microsoft

Hi Mourad,

 

Thanks for taking the time to give your feedback. I have a general policy of "no change" when it comes to localized Excel functions. The primary reason is that, after they have been in use for some time by the public, changing them tends to lead to confusion and potentially causes inconsistencies with publications and online references to them. Also, informing all users of any impending changes is near impossible.

 

Your feedback is valid and historically, before my time on Excel, we did not localize functions for all cultures we ship Excel in. I don't know why. It seems the reason where trapped in tacit knowledge. If we expand the language coverage we face the dilemma describe above. In principle, I'm not against making the customer experience great. It's more a concern about confusing and annoying customers.

Deleted
Not applicable

Hi Roger,

thank you very much for the explanations. I can understand that, e.g. the dilemma that would be caused by a change.

Best,
Mourad

Microsoft

thanks Mourad. I think we discussed this option at sometime in the past: What if Excel could offer users the English and localized function names + tooltips? I know Google Sheets does that. I did moot this with the product team and it received a favourable hearing but, getting funding for it provided challenging. I wonder should we consider an MVP wide/Linked In/Other groups survey to establish interest in this idea. Putting solid numbers in the business case always helps

Deleted
Not applicable

Hi Roger,

yes, I remember the discussion. I think, this is a great and useful idea, if it would be possible to select the functions language for Excel between English and the localized one (meaning my current prefered language). All this by having the user interface still in my preferred language.

A possible use-case would be in my opinion: most online help resources, tools, learning platforms (e.g. EDX) and forums (e.g. this one) are speaking English. Having a the possibility to e.g. directly insert an English formula in an Excel sheet without installing a Language Pack or using other tools would be useful and valuable for many users, I think.

If you would install a survey, e.g. in the MS Language Quality Group on LinkedIn, I would be happy to participate.

Best,

Mourad

Copper Contributor
Status changed to: Working on it
 
Microsoft
Status changed to: Completed