It was there, the problem is that by default if you open files the way most people do (double-clicking or dragging) then Excel decides you must not want to be bothered by the options so it fills them in for you. "Helpfully" not even using the most basic inference to assign types in a way that doesn't destroy the data.

I think the import wizard was added in office 2000.

Here is the feature in Excel 2007 https://youtu.be/ML0VDMpWllM around 2:45, could have also been there in earlier versions too.

I love how you gave advice in your parent post as if you knew what Excel's current features are, then admitted you haven't used it in 10 years.

I meant to describe what I do and why, sorry if I offended you by unsolicited wrong advice. And as others say, nothing changed during that time - the import function is/was always there but it's still hidden somewhere.

>but it's still hidden somewhere.

It's the second button on the data tab, you are still spreading misinformation.

at least 20 years, probably more.