The Complete Microsoft Excel Free Download Guide—Data, Formulas & Every Version
One hub for every legitimate path—fourteen version guides, edition picker, feature matrix, and safe install links from official sources only.
WPS Spreadsheet opens the same .xlsx with PivotTables, XLOOKUP, and AI formula help—free, no subscription.
Microsoft Excel Free Download by Edition—Cloud to Desktop
Fourteen guides covering cloud Excel, perpetual desktop builds, offline viewers, and mobile apps—each linking to a safe install walkthrough.
Cloud & Subscription
Microsoft Excel 365 Free Download
Newest cloud Excel—free to try. Real-time co-authoring, auto-updates, sync anywhere.
Microsoft Excel 2024 Free Download
Latest desktop Excel—free download. Newest formulas, charts, full .xlsx support.
Microsoft Excel 2021 Free Download
Free perpetual install—dynamic arrays, modern UI, no subscription needed.
Desktop Perpetual (2019–2003)
Microsoft Excel 2019 Free Download
Free download, pro-ready sheets. Advanced formulas, sharper charts, no monthly fees.
Microsoft Excel 2016 Free Download
Proven classic—free, safe links. Powerful charts and analysis for daily work.
Microsoft Excel 2013 Free Download
Free install—fast data entry, familiar UI. Smooth spreadsheets on any PC.
Microsoft Excel 2010 Free Download
Lightweight free Excel for old PCs. Sparklines, simple tools, low RAM use.
Microsoft Excel 2007 Free Download
Free Ribbon-era Excel—full version with SP3. Compact, offline spreadsheets on legacy Windows PCs.
Microsoft Excel 2003 Free Download
Legacy free download—offline classic. Basic sheets for retro or low-spec PCs.
Platform Guides & Viewers
Download Excel for Free with Full Version
Free full-version guide—all Excel releases in one hub. Premium tools, zero scattered searches.
Download Best Offline Excel File Viewer
No internet? Free offline Excel viewer—open .xlsx anytime, full file compatibility.
Microsoft Excel Free Download for Windows
Windows-ready free Excel—32/64-bit install paths. Secure, optimized PC setup.
Download Excel for Mac in Easy Ways
Free Excel for Mac—native macOS setup. Open and edit spreadsheets with ease.
Install Excel Viewers on iOS/Android
iOS & Android—free Excel viewer on the go. Fast open, smooth mobile navigation.
What Will You Do in Excel? Pick Your Data Profile
Click the profile that matches your daily spreadsheet work. Each panel shows the Excel edition we recommend, the formulas you will actually use, and a practical tip from real users.
Data Analyst & Finance
Dashboards, pivot tables, variance analysis, and forecasting. You need XLOOKUP, Power Query, and chart tools that handle 100K+ rows.
Home Budget & Personal
Monthly expenses, savings goals, bill splitting. Simple formulas and clean charts—lightweight apps work perfectly.
Student & Research
Lab data, statistics, grade calculators, group project sheets. Check Education licensing before paying.
Small Business & Inventory
Stock lists, invoices, sales logs, simple CRM. Predictable costs matter—a 2021 one-time license or WPS free tier both fit.
Most-Used Excel Tools in 2026—What Downloaders Search For
These features drive most spreadsheet installs. Every one below works in WPS Spreadsheet with native .xlsx format.
Microsoft Excel Free Download—Feature Comparison by Version
Green check = included. Use this table before you download—pick the build that ships the tools your workbook actually needs.
| Feature | 365 | 2024/21 | 2019 | 2016 | WPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PivotTables & Slicers | |||||
| XLOOKUP / Dynamic Arrays | |||||
| Power Query | |||||
| Real-time Co-authoring | |||||
| VBA Macros | |||||
| AI Formula Assist (Copilot) | |||||
| Offline desktop editing | |||||
| Ongoing cost | ~$7/mo | One-time | One-time | One-time | $0 |
Your Spreadsheet Workflow—From Raw Data to Insight
Import Data
CSV, .xlsx, web query, or paste from email. Power Query cleans messy exports automatically.
Calculate
SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, IF statements. AI assist suggests formulas from plain English.
Visualize
PivotTables summarize; charts and conditional formatting highlight trends instantly.
Share
Email .xlsx, share OneDrive link, or export PDF. Colleagues on any Excel version can open it.
Excel vs. Google Sheets vs. WPS Spreadsheet
Choosing a spreadsheet is not just about Microsoft. Here is how the top options compare for users searching a free Excel download.
| Criteria | Microsoft Excel | Google Sheets | WPS Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| .xlsx compatibility | Native | Good (import/export) | Native |
| Offline desktop | Yes (desktop) | Limited | Yes, free |
| PivotTables | Full | Basic | Full |
| VBA Macros | Yes | No (Apps Script) | Yes (Windows) |
| Free forever option | Online only | Yes (browser) | Yes (desktop) |
| Best for | Enterprise & power users | Real-time cloud teams | Budget & .xlsx offline |
Excel Versions & System Requirements
Version Timeline
Always updated—AI, co-authoring, 1 TB cloud. Best for teams.
One-time buy, XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays. No subscription.
Stable daily drivers. 2016 out of support—use offline.
Legacy .xls only. No security patches.
Minimum System Specs (Desktop)
- Windows: Win 10/11 · 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended) · 4 GB disk · 64-bit preferred
- macOS: Three latest macOS versions · 4 GB RAM · Apple Silicon native
- Excel Online: Modern browser · Microsoft account · 5 GB OneDrive free
- Mobile: Android 9+ or iOS current · free app, 365 unlocks premium
- WPS: Win/Mac/Linux/Android/iOS · 2 GB RAM · free, no key
Verified Microsoft Excel Free Download Paths—Ranked
WPS Spreadsheet
Free forever on desktop and mobile. Full .xlsx, PivotTables, XLOOKUP, charts, AI formula help—no trial countdown, no product key.
Free DownloadExcel Online
Free with any Microsoft account. Quick edits and sharing; limited offline, no Power Query or macros.
365 Education
Full desktop Excel + 1 TB OneDrive with valid .edu email. Free while enrolled.
365 Free Trial
Full desktop + Copilot AI. Cancel before renewal to avoid charges.
Avoid "Excel full version free" torrents and KMS activators—they are illegal and frequently contain ransomware.
Microsoft Excel Free Download Setup—Install & Troubleshooting
Match edition to your data work
Analysts: 365 or 2021+. Students: Education. Casual: WPS or Excel Online. Macros: desktop Windows only.
Download from official sources
microsoft.com, App Store, Google Play, or our version guides. Choose 64-bit on modern Windows.
Run installer (3–8 min)
Close other Office apps first. WPS installs in under 2 minutes on most PCs.
Sign in or activate
365: Microsoft account. Perpetual: product key. WPS: no activation needed.
Open a .xlsx and verify formulas
Test PivotTables, linked cells, and charts. If everything calculates correctly, you are ready.
Common issues
- Slow on large files: Use 64-bit Excel, close unused add-ins, or split data across sheets.
- Formulas show #REF!: Source cells deleted—use XLOOKUP with error handling.
- Macro blocked: Enable macros in Trust Center (desktop only).
- Cannot open .xlsx: Try WPS Spreadsheet as a free fallback viewer/editor.
Microsoft Excel Free Download—FAQs
Answers to the questions spreadsheet users ask most when choosing a free Excel download.
Is there any Excel free?
Yes—several legitimate paths exist. Excel Online is free in any browser with a Microsoft account. Mobile apps are free for viewing and basic edits. WPS Spreadsheet offers a full free desktop experience with PivotTables and .xlsx support. Students may qualify for Microsoft 365 Education at no cost.
Does Excel 2019 support XLOOKUP and dynamic arrays?
No. XLOOKUP and dynamic arrays (FILTER, SORT, UNIQUE) arrived in Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365. Excel 2019 still uses VLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH. If your workbooks rely on XLOOKUP, download Excel 2021+, subscribe to 365, or use WPS Spreadsheet which supports XLOOKUP on the free tier. Excel 2019 remains solid for PivotTables, Power Query, and standard charts.
What is the best free version of Excel?
For browser-only work, Excel Online is the most accessible. For offline analysis with PivotTables, XLOOKUP, and AI formula help at zero cost, WPS Spreadsheet is the strongest alternative—it mirrors Excel's ribbon layout and saves native .xlsx files your colleagues can open without conversion.
Can I get Microsoft Excel download free full version?
Microsoft does not permanently give away the full desktop Excel. Legitimate options: a 365 trial (~30 days), Education license (students), Excel Online (ongoing browser access), or WPS Spreadsheet which delivers full spreadsheet features—including macros on Windows—at no ongoing cost.
Will my Excel macros work in WPS Spreadsheet?
WPS supports VBA macros on Windows desktop for most common automation—inventory scripts, report generators, and formatting macros. Complex enterprise add-ins or ActiveX controls may still require Microsoft Excel. Test your specific .xlsm workbook after installing WPS before switching entirely.
Excel Online vs. desktop Excel—which should I download?
Excel Online suits quick edits, sharing links, and light formulas—no install required. Desktop Excel (365 or perpetual) is essential for Power Query, VBA macros, large workbooks (100MB+), and offline work. WPS desktop bridges the gap: free, offline, with PivotTables and macros—ideal when you need desktop power without a subscription.
Is Excel 2016 still safe to use in 2026?
Excel 2016 is out of mainstream support—no new security patches from Microsoft. It is acceptable for offline, air-gapped use on legacy PCs opening old workbooks. For internet-connected machines handling sensitive data, upgrade to Excel 2021+, Microsoft 365, or WPS Spreadsheet which receives ongoing security updates.
Ready to Crunch Data? Download WPS Spreadsheet Free
PivotTables, XLOOKUP, charts, and AI formula assist—on the same .xlsx files your team already uses. No subscription, no trial countdown, no product key. Join 200M+ WPS users worldwide.
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