Office for Mac Issues

Excel Features on Mac: Will New Microsoft 365 Functions Be Available?

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if new Excel functions will be added to Microsoft 365 for Mac and how the features compare across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

Will New Excel Functions Come to Microsoft 365 for Mac?

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Comparing Excel features and update rollouts across different platforms and subscription types.
Observed behavior: Certain Excel features present on Windows or specific subscription tiers are missing or implemented differently on the Mac desktop version.

Before you start

Verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is active and that your Office applications are updated to the latest version to ensure you are receiving the newest features.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand Microsoft 365 Feature Rollouts for Mac

Microsoft releases features differently across platforms. Desktop apps are generally the most feature-rich, but rollouts can vary by OS.

Microsoft 365 desktop applications are generally more feature-rich than their web and mobile counterparts. However, Mac and Windows versions may receive new functions at different times.

Subscribers to Microsoft 365 receive ongoing continuous updates, whereas users with perpetual-license editions (like Office 2021) will not receive new features after purchase.

Check your subscription type

Open Excel on your Mac, click 'Excel' in the top menu bar, and select 'About Microsoft Excel'. Verify that your license says 'Microsoft 365 Subscription' to ensure you are eligible for new feature rollouts.

Consult the Microsoft 365 Roadmap

Visit the official Microsoft 365 Roadmap website online. Filter the platform by 'Mac' and the product by 'Excel' to see which new functions are currently in development or rolling out.

Review Excel release notes

Check Microsoft's official release notes for Office for Mac. This documentation will specify exactly when a missing function is added to the Mac platform.

Understand Microsoft 365 Feature Rollouts for Mac

Platform Differences: Even within desktop versions, Microsoft occasionally implements features differently on Mac compared to Windows due to underlying operating system architectures.

Solution 2

Update Excel for Mac to Get New Functions

Keeping your application updated is the only way to download and install newly released Excel functions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac for a Complete Spreadsheet Experience

If you are frustrated by delayed feature rollouts or missing functions in Excel for Mac, WPS Office provides a fully featured, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for all your spreadsheet needs without the expensive subscription fees.

Free to use with comprehensive advanced spreadsheet functionsStrict and seamless compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly and efficiently on MacFamiliar tabbed user interface ensuring zero learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel on Windows have features that Excel on Mac lacks?

Microsoft often develops and releases new functions for the Windows environment first. While the Mac version eventually receives many of these updates, there is often a delay or a difference in how the features are natively implemented on macOS.

Do I get new Excel features with a one-time purchase of Office for Mac?

No. Perpetual-license versions, such as Office 2019 or Office 2021, only receive security and stability updates. To get continuous new feature rollouts and functions, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required.

Is the web version of Excel the same as the Mac desktop version?

No. The free web version of Excel generally has fewer advanced features and functions compared to the full Microsoft 365 desktop application for Mac. Desktop applications are built to be much more robust and feature-rich.

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