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How to Install Excel on Mac, iPhone, and iPad
Question details
The user needs to know how to install and use Microsoft Excel simultaneously across multiple Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS, iOS, iPadOS
- Scenario
- Setting up Excel on multiple Apple devices for cross-platform productivity and syncing.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to ensure their license allows multi-device installation and understand the setup rules for macOS and iOS.
Verify your Microsoft account license type before starting. A Microsoft 365 subscription allows installation on up to 5 devices simultaneously, while a one-time perpetual license (like Office 2021) is restricted to a single computer.
Install Excel Using a Microsoft 365 Subscription
The most seamless way to use Excel fully across Mac, iPhone, and iPad is with an active Microsoft 365 Family, Personal, or Business subscription.
A Microsoft 365 subscription grants you full editing privileges on mobile devices and allows simultaneous sign-ins on up to five devices across all platforms.
Open the Mac App Store, type 'Microsoft Excel' in the search bar, and click 'Get' to download and install the application on your computer.
Open the App Store on your iPhone and iPad, search for 'Microsoft Excel', and tap the download icon to install the iOS/iPadOS application.
Launch the Excel app on each device. When prompted, sign in using the Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 subscription to unlock full editing features.
Use WPS Office Across All Your Apple Devices
Looking for a cost-effective way to view, edit, and sync spreadsheets across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative to Microsoft Excel that works seamlessly across the entire Apple ecosystem.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the WPS Office application directly from the Mac App Store and iOS App Store on your respective devices.
- 2. Sign in for Cloud Sync: Launch the app and sign in with a free WPS account to enable automatic cloud synchronization across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
- 3. Open and Edit Files: Open your existing Excel files or create a new spreadsheet to start editing instantly with full cross-platform support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay separately for Excel on Mac, iPhone, and iPad?
No. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, it covers installations on up to five devices simultaneously without extra charges. However, if you bought a one-time Office license for Mac, you will not have editing rights on iPad apps.
Can I use Excel on my iPhone or iPad for free?
You can download the app for free and view documents. However, to create and edit documents on devices with screens larger than 10.1 inches (like most iPads), a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription is required.
Why does Excel say 'Read Only' on my iPad?
This usually happens if you are not signed into a Microsoft 365 account, or if your iPad's screen size exceeds 10.1 inches, which Microsoft requires a paid subscription to edit files on.
Are my Excel files automatically synced between my Mac and iPhone?
Yes, as long as you save your spreadsheets to OneDrive or iCloud, and you are signed into the same cloud storage account on all your Apple devices.
