If you work as an accountant, data analyst or marketer, you’ll know just how powerful good spreadsheet software can be.
And while there are plenty of options out there these days, Microsoft Excel remains the market leader. Despite offering an array of different features, it remains relatively easy to use.
But unlike Google Sheets, Apple’s Numbers and many other spreadsheet apps, Excel isn’t usually free. To get the full version, you’ll need to pay £119.99/$149.99 for a standalone version alongside other Office apps, or £79.99/$99.99 per year as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription.
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However, that doesn’t mean you have to pay to use it. Microsoft offers three methods that are totally legal and won’t cost you anything. Here’s what you need to know.
Option 1 – Use the web version
Accessing Microsoft Excel and other core Office programs is free via the web, and all you’ll need is a Microsoft account.
Head over to office.com and click ‘Sign in’ to enter your details. If you don’t yet have an account, choose ‘Sign up for the free version of Office’ and follow the instructions.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Once that’s complete, you’ll be taken to your main office homepage. From the left pane, choose ‘Create’, then ‘Workbook’ to open a new spreadsheet.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
As you can see, there’s also the option to create documents in Word and PowerPoint here, alongside Outlook and a free version of Microsoft Teams. These are all ‘Web Apps’, meaning you can only use them via your browser and not a desktop app. When you work on a file here, it will be saved to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service – everyone gets 5GB for free.
In fact, you probably have Google to thank for this software being available in web app form, as its free Docs, Sheets and Slides software and their integration with Google Drive made it difficult for Microsoft to keep asking users to pay.
Check out our guide to the best cloud storage services to see how both compare to the rest of the competition.
The web version of Excel is a more stripped-back version of the software, so the comparison to Google Sheets is more reasonable than the full desktop program. Nonetheless, both services should provide everything a casual user is looking for.
Option 2 – Useon mobile
Perhaps again in response to Google, Microsoft’s Office mobile applications are completely free and available across most modern smartphones, tablets and even foldables.
You can download the Microsoft Excel app for Android and iOS. Microsoft understandably reserves some premium features for its Microsoft 365 subscription, but the mobile apps are still very capable and offer integration with OneDrive.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Option 3 – Check if your school or workplace gets it free
Many employers offer Microsoft 365 apps to their employees free of charge. Even if your work email address ends with the name of the company, it could still be used to sign into a Microsoft account. Head to office.com, click sign in and see if there’s an account linked to your email address.
If your school has signed up to Microsoft 365 Education, all staff and students should be able access Office apps for free. To check, enter your education email address on the Microsoft website.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
But if your school isn’t yet signed up and you’re in a position to change that, compare plans and begin the sign-up process here.
