If you are looking for a way to use Microsoft Excel on Chromebook, you might be pleased to know that it possible to use Microsoft Excel on a Chromebook, without the need download & install Microsoft Excel.
While this should sound like a good news to most Chromebook users, those who have a license for the Desktop version of Excel might still be wondering whether or not it is possible to download and use the Desktop version of Excel on a Chromebook.
Use Microsoft Excel on Chromebook
Since, ChromeOS has been specifically designed to run web apps and Android apps, it does not support Windows & macOS based apps and programs. Hence, it is not possible to download and install the Desktop version of Microsoft Excel on a Chromebook.
However, it is possible to use Microsoft Excel on Chromebook by making use of Excel Online, Microsoft Excel App and also by making use of the capability of Google Sheets to edit Excel spreadsheets.
Note: Based on our testing, Excel Online provides the best user experience and the recommended way to use Microsoft Excel on Chromebook.
1. Use Excel Online on Chromebook
Excel online or Excel for web is a free web-based version of Microsoft Excel, which can be accessed from any web browser, including Google Chrome.
Working on Microsoft Excel Online feels almost the same as using the desktop version of Excel and it can be used to create and edit spreadsheets on a Chromebook. Unlike the Desktop version, you will be required to sign to Excel Online and all your files will be saved to OneDrive, instead of being saved to Desktop.
While, Excel Online does not support every feature that is included in the Desktop version of Microsoft Excel, it includes most commonly used functions like formulas, cell formatting and comes with basic graph generation features, which should be good enough for most users.
If you are a mid or advanced level Excel user, you are likely to miss advanced macros, charts, data sorting and analysis tools.
How to Access Excel Online
You can access the online or web version of Microsoft Excel on your Chromebook by using the following steps.
1. Open the Chrome browser on your Chromebook and go to excel.cloud.microsoft.
2. Click on Create Blank Workbook button.
3. On the next screen, you will be required to sign-in by using your Microsoft account.
If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can easily create your Microsoft account by clicking on Create one link.
2. Download Microsoft Excel on Chromebook
Another way to use Microsoft Excel on Chromebook is by downloading and installing the Android based Microsoft Office App on your Chromebook.
1. Go to Google Play Store on your Chromebook.
2. Search for the App (Microsoft Office or Microsoft Excel) that you want to download.
Note: Alternatively, you can reach the Excel download page using this link: Download Excel App From Google Play Store.
3. Once you find your preferred App (Office or Excel), click on the Install button.
4. Once the App is downloaded, use the Launcher to open Microsoft Excel App on your Chromebook.
5. Once you are in Excel, you will be required to Sign-in by using your Microsoft Account or Microsoft Office Subscription account.
3. Edit Microsoft Excel File Using Google Sheets
The native Google Sheets App on Chromebook can be used to open, view and edit Microsoft Excel files directly on a Chromebook.
1. Open the Files App on your Chromebook.
2. Click on Downloads in the Left pane and click on the Excel File that you want to Edit.
3. Make changes to Excel File as required and save the File as an Excel File.
The Edited Excel File will be saved to your Google Drive Account, which you access any time or share with the others.
Google Sheets App supports most commonly used Microsoft Excel functions, which should be enough for most users.