diff --git a/scripts/code_tools/modified_strings.py b/scripts/code_tools/modified_strings.py
index 67099c725e..c777fc8c0d 100644
--- a/scripts/code_tools/modified_strings.py
+++ b/scripts/code_tools/modified_strings.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ into google sheets.
 
 If the --rev revision already contains a translation for the text, it
 will be included in the spreadsheet for reference.
-    
+
 Normally you would want --rev_base to be the last revision to have
 translations added, and --rev to be the tip of the current
 project. You can find the last commit with translation work using "git log --grep INTL- | head"
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ translate_attribs = [
     "label",
     "label_selected",
     "tool_tip",
-    "default_text",
     "ignoretext",
     "yestext",
     "notext",
@@ -243,7 +242,7 @@ def find_deletions(mod_tree, base_tree, lang, args, f):
         mod_filename = transl_filename.replace("/xui/{}/".format(lang), "/xui/{}/".format(args.base_lang))
         #print("checking",transl_filename,"against",mod_filename)
         try:
-            mod_blob = mod_tree[mod_filename] 
+            mod_blob = mod_tree[mod_filename]
         except:
             print("  delete file", transl_filename, file=f)
             continue
@@ -258,7 +257,7 @@ def find_deletions(mod_tree, base_tree, lang, args, f):
             if not elt_key in mod_dict:
                 if lines == 0:
                     print("  in file", transl_filename, file=f)
-                lines += 1   
+                lines += 1
                 print("    delete element", elt_key, file=f)
             else:
                 transl_elt = transl_dict[elt_key]
@@ -267,14 +266,14 @@ def find_deletions(mod_tree, base_tree, lang, args, f):
                     if not a in mod_elt.attrib:
                         if lines == 0:
                             print("  in file", transl_filename, file=f)
-                        lines += 1   
+                        lines += 1
                         print("    delete attribute", a, "from", elt_key, file=f)
                 if transl_elt.text and (not mod_elt.text):
                     if lines == 0:
                         print("  in file", transl_filename, file=f)
-                    lines += 1   
+                    lines += 1
                     print("    delete text from", elt_key, file=f)
-    
+
 def save_translation_file(per_lang_data, aux_data, outfile):
 
     langs = sorted(per_lang_data.keys())
@@ -302,8 +301,8 @@ def save_translation_file(per_lang_data, aux_data, outfile):
         worksheet.set_column('A:B', 60, wrap_format)
         worksheet.set_column('C:C', 60, wrap_unlocked_format)
         worksheet.set_column('D:E', 40, wrap_unlocked_format)
-        worksheet.set_column('F:F', 50, wrap_format)
-        worksheet.set_column('G:H', 30, wrap_format)
+        worksheet.set_column('F:F', 50, wrap_format, {'hidden': True})
+        worksheet.set_column('G:H', 30, wrap_format, {'hidden': True})
 
         # Lock the top row (column headers) in place while scrolling
         worksheet.freeze_panes(1, 0)
@@ -311,14 +310,14 @@ def save_translation_file(per_lang_data, aux_data, outfile):
 
     # Reference info, not for translation
     for aux, data in list(aux_data.items()):
-        df = pd.DataFrame(data, columns = ["Key", "Value"]) 
+        df = pd.DataFrame(data, columns = ["Key", "Value"])
         df.to_excel(writer, index=False, sheet_name=aux)
         worksheet = writer.sheets[aux]
         worksheet.set_column('A:A', 50, bold_wrap_format)
         worksheet.set_column('B:B', 80, wrap_format)
-        
+
     print("Writing", outfile)
-    writer.close()
+    writer.save()
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
 
@@ -402,7 +401,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     if args.deleted:
         deletion_file = "Translate_deletions.txt"
         print("Saving deletion info to", deletion_file)
-        with open(deletion_file,"w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        with open(deletion_file,"w") as f:
             for lang in langs:
                 find_deletions(mod_tree, base_tree, lang, args, f)