Microsoft Excel 2021 Free Download Guide [2025 Updated]

It can be a real bummer when you try to open a spreadsheet only to realize you don’t have Microsoft Excel 2021 installed when deadlines are tight and data needs organizing fast. Excel 2021 isn’t just another version as it brings powerful upgrades like dynamic arrays that make managing information smoother than ever. However, many users are still unsure how the Microsoft Excel 2021 free download actually works or if it's even safe. That’s why in this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about downloading Microsoft Excel 2021 for free.

What Features Will You Get in Microsoft Excel 2021?

For those asking what is Microsoft Excel 2021, it is a spreadsheet software that’s part of the Microsoft Office 2021 suite. It gives users access to powerful data analysis tools, formulas, charts, and automation features that make organizing, calculating, and visualizing data more efficient than ever. Looking into the Microsoft Excel 2021 free download, I assumed it’d just be the same old program with a few layout changes. I was wrong. This version actually comes packed with useful upgrades that make working with data smoother especially if you’ve been using older builds or relying on the free online version.

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Here's a breakdown of what features stood out to me.

• XLOOKUP Function: Find anything you need across rows and columns with just one formula which is way more intuitive than VLOOKUP.

• Dynamic Arrays: Let a single formula return multiple values, spilling results directly into adjacent cells.

• LET Function: Assign names to calculation results, making complex formulas easier to understand and reuse.

• Improved Collaboration: With shared workbooks and threaded comments, you can work with others in real-time even offline.

These features turned Excel 2021 into a steadier, smarter workspace for me. Everything from data cleanup to team collaboration felt noticeably easier which is exactly why so many people search for how to download Microsoft Excel 2021 free in the first place. It’s not just about having a spreadsheet tool, but one that works the way you need it to.

How to Download Microsoft Excel 2021 for Free with a Product Key

I began researching how product keys operate because I wanted to have complete access to Microsoft Excel 2021 without having to pay up front. There's a lot of buzz out there from official methods, student offers, and those skeptic forums that promise "free lifetime keys". So I made the decision to test what genuinely functions, what activates, what crashes, and what wastes time. When I attempted to use a product key to download MS Excel 2021 for free, this is what I discovered.

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 or later / macOS Monterey or later

• RAM: 4GB (64-bit), 2GB (32-bit)

• Storage: 4GB available space

• Processor: 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core processor

• Display: 1280×768 resolution

Free Product Keys for Microsoft Office 2021

I noticed certain product keys popping up repeatedly across different corners of the internet, mostly for Office 2021 Pro Plus and LTSC editions. They’re usually shared with bold claims of lifetime access, but most are unstable or blacklisted within weeks. That said, here are a few that have been widely circulated:

• FXYTK-NJJ8C-GB6DW-FG9VH-6CRQR  

• KDVQM-HMNFJ-P9PJX-96HDF-DJYGX  

• 2F77B-TNFGY-69QQF-B8YKP-D69TJ

If you're someone who’s looking for an MS Excel 2021 free download, it's important to know that relying on these methods can be unstable and short-lived as most of the keys don’t always last.

Download Guide

After identifying which product keys were actually usable, the next part was getting Excel installed and activated without triggering errors or security warnings. The process most people follow for a Microsoft Excel 365 free download typically includes downloading the installer, applying a key, and using an activator tool if needed. Here’s how that usually plays out step by step.

Step 1: Go to Microsoft Office Customization Tool’s website and start by selecting your system architecture under the “Architecture” section. You’ll see two options:

• x64: Best for most modern 64-bit systems, offering better performance for large files.

• x32: Ideal for older or 32-bit systems.

Step 2: Scroll down to the “Product and Release” section and select Office Suite as “Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 – Volume License”. This version includes Excel 2021 and other core Office apps.

Step 3: Next, move to the “Language” settings and select “Match Operating System (Machine Language)” as the default option. This ensures that your Excel 2021 installation matches your system’s existing language settings.

Step 4: Once all your settings are in place, click the blue “Export” button in the upper-right corner of the customization tool to download the file to be used in the installation process.

Step 5: Now, head over to the official Microsoft Office Deployment Tool’s download page and click on “Download”.

Step 6: Run the “officedeploymenttool_16731-20290” file that you just downloaded to extract the tool’s files.

Step 7: Click the search bar in the taskbar and type Command Prompt. When it appears in the results, right-click and select “Run as Administrator” to open it with elevated permissions.

Step 8: In Command Prompt, type the following command and press “Enter” to allow the tool to download and install Excel 2021:

setup.exe /configure Configuration.xml

Step 9: After installation, open Excel and select the option that says “Enter product key instead”.

Step 10: After carefully entering the free product key you have, hit “Activate”. If the key is valid, you’ll see a success message and Excel will be ready to use.

How to Download Excel 2021 for Free from Third-party Resources

When I ran out of official options, I looked into third-party sites offering free Excel 2021 downloads. It’s something a lot of people try, but it comes with serious risks. One client warning stuck with me: “It is unsafe to have a copy of Office 2021 from a third-party website. We will not recommend doing so because it might contain viruses or malware and can harm your computer”. And they’re right as some of the installers I came across tried to bundle in corrupted software or triggered antivirus alerts. Still, I wanted to see how people go about it, just to understand the process.

Step 1: Go to Download.it’s official website and click on the green "External Download" button to begin downloading the ISO file for Microsoft Excel 2021.

Step 2: Once the ISO file finishes downloading, right-click on the file and select “Mount” from the context menu. This will create a virtual drive on your PC and allow you to access the contents of the ISO without needing to burn it to a disc.

Step 3: Inside the mounted drive, right-click the “Setup” file and select “Run as administrator”. The installation process will begin, and within a few minutes, Microsoft Excel 2021 should be ready to use on your system

Going through this process felt like walking a tightrope. Before they swamped me with pop-ups or caused my antivirus to flag them, some downloads appeared to be legitimate. Some even installed hidden software. If you still decide to go this route (though I wouldn’t recommend it), be extra cautious. Avoid anything with numerous download buttons or dubious redirects, stick to websites that use HTTPS, and look for community comments on Reddit or reliable tech forums.

Best Free Alternative to Microsoft Excel 2021 – WPS Spreadsheet

After going through the whole third-party download route: evading annoying pop-ups, expired keys, and files I probably shouldn’t have trusted, I figured there had to be a safer way to get my accounting statement sorted. That’s when I stopped looking for “free Excel” and started Googling for actual alternatives. While comparing options, I came across a blog on WPS’s site titled “Excel on Microsoft Office or WPS Spreadsheet – Which One is Better?” and it felt like it was written for someone in my exact situation.

It didn’t try to oversell anything, just laid out clear comparisons between features, cost, and usability. After reading it, WPS Spreadsheet seemed like a solid option that could actually handle what I needed, without the broken links, fake activators, or constant license errors. Turns out, that was true.

Features:

• Smart Data Tools: Handle everything from formulas and pivot tables to charts and auto-fill, all built right in, just like you'd expect from Excel.

• Full Excel Compatibility: Open, edit, and save .xls and .xlsx files easily without messing up the formatting.

• Built-in PDF Export: Convert spreadsheets directly into PDFs with full layout control, no extra apps or plugins needed.

• Ready-to-Use Templates: Budgets, calendars, schedules, and more, you’ll find plenty of free templates that make setup faster.

Pros:

• Downloaded directly from the official site, so there are no shady links or hidden malware.

• No risk of your files being exposed or tracked like with pirated software.

• Install and start using it immediately. No product keys, cracks, or license errors.

• Free version handles all the core tasks most users rely on, without locking features.

After running into one expired trial too many and wasting hours on cracked downloads that led nowhere, I was ready to try something different. When I saw WPS Spreadsheet pop up on the blog, I downloaded it without anticipating too much. But setup was quick, and for the kind of work I was doing, it performed on par with Microsoft Excel 2021 for Window/Mac. Here’s how it went.

Step 1: First, open your browser to visit WPS Office click the "Free Download" button to start the download.

Step 2: The download will finish in a few seconds. Once done, run the installation file like you would for any other app or software.

Step 3: WPS Office will show you a few simple terms and conditions. Accept them, then click the "Install Now" button to begin the installation.

Step 4: After you’ve launched WPS Office, click “Sheets” from the left sidebar and just hit “New” to start using WPS Spreadsheet.

A few weeks ago, I was sent a spreadsheet to double-check right before a meeting and of course, I didn’t have my laptop with me. All I had was my phone, so I opened it using WPS Spreadsheet’s mobile app. It loaded quickly, didn’t mess up the formatting, and let me make the edits I needed. It’s not a full desktop replacement, but for approvals, or basic data edits, it holds up well. If you’ve ever tried downloading Excel 365 free on your phone and ran into limitations, this is a much easier alternative. Here’s how to set it up.

Step 1: Open the Play Store and type “WPS Office” into the search bar.

Step 2: Tap “Install’’ next to WPS Office. It’s not too heavy, so it won’t take forever even on slower connections.

Step 3: Once installed, open the app and click on the plus (+) icon labeled “Create” to get started with a new file.

Step 4: From the available file types, tap on “XLS”. This opens a new spreadsheet where you can begin entering data, using formulas, or exploring templates.

I use WPS Spreadsheet for a lot of my freelance work, like cleaning up project budgets, and it feels way lighter than Smartsheet, especially when working offline.  The interface is simple, the templates actually save me time, and I don’t feel locked behind a paywall. Unlike Smartsheet, it doesn’t require constant syncing or an internet connection. It’s a great fit for students, freelancers, or anyone who just needs solid spreadsheet tools.

Comparison of WPS Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel 2021

After using both of the softwares for a variety of projects, ranging from light data analysis to comprehensive budgeting, I began to see some obvious differences in how they approach routine tasks. Although Excel 2021 has limited updates and a price tag, it offers familiarity and depth. On the other hand, WPS's capabilities, particularly when working across devices or without internet access, stunned me with how much it could accomplish for free. To make the decision easier for anyone in the same boat, I broke down the key differences I personally experienced.

Looking at the differences, I realized WPS Spreadsheet offered more of what I actually use day to day without the cost. For someone who just needs a clean, stable tool to manage data, organize personal budgets, or handle group projects without constant updates or activation issues, it delivers. I’m not saying it replaces Excel for every use case, but for most people, especially students, freelancers, or small teams, it could easily cover everything you need.

FAQs

1. What are the main differences between WPS Spreadsheet and Excel 2021?

WPS is free, cloud-integrated, and continuously updated. Excel 2021 is a one-time purchase, but it lacks future updates and requires manual installation.

2. Does WPS Spreadsheet support Excel file formats?

Absolutely. You can open, edit, and save .xls, .xlsx, and .csv files in WPS without losing formatting or data.

3. Can I use WPS Spreadsheet offline?

Yes. Once installed, you don’t need the internet to use WPS Spreadsheet.

4. Is WPS Spreadsheet safe to use?

WPS Office is trusted by over 500 million users globally. It’s secure, stable, and regularly updated with no bundled malware.

5. Is WPS Spreadsheet suitable for professionals?

Definitely. It’s perfect for freelancers, accountants, small business teams, and even educators.

The Spreadsheet That Didn't Break

I wasn’t expecting the search for a Microsoft Excel 2021 free download to take me down such a long road. I looked into Microsoft’s official channels first, but unless you’re a student or part of an organization with access, that route is limited. I sifted through free product keys and suspicious installers, some of which worked briefly before running into activation errors or crashing mid-use. Online Excel looked promising, but I needed something better after losing internet access constantly and being unable to access important features.

I finally tried WPS Spreadsheet, which is surprisingly powerful but not an exact replica of Excel. It took care of my.xlsx files smoothly, supported essential functions like pivot tables and charts, and most importantly, didn’t keep nagging me for licenses. Although it's not perfect(nothing is), it simply completes the majority of my tasks without wasting my time, including tracking budgets, cleaning up data, and running simple formulas.