If you want to create and manage spreadsheets, one application probably immediately comes to mind: Excel.
Microsoft first released it in 1985, a few years after Word but shortly before PowerPoint. All three have revolutionized the way we produce digital content.
But in the four decades since, a lot has changed. The most obvious way to start using Excel these days is through a Microsoft 365 subscription, although standalone versions of all of these apps are released every few years.
However, it is still possible to access Excel completely for free, and the three methods in this article are officially approved by Microsoft. Here’s everything you need to know.
Use the web version
Using Microsoft Excel and other basic Office programs is free via the web, and all you’ll need is a Microsoft account.
Go to Office.com and click “Login” to enter your information. If you don’t already have an account, choose “Sign up for the free version of Office” and follow the instructions.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Once this is complete, you will be redirected to your main office home page. In the left pane, choose “Create” then “Workbook” to open a new worksheet.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
As you can see, there’s also the ability to create documents in Word and PowerPoint here, alongside Outlook and a free version of Microsoft Teams. These are all “web apps”, which means you can only use them through your browser and not through a desktop app. When you work on a file here, it will be saved to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service – everyone gets 5GB for free.
In fact, you probably have Google to thank for making this software available as a web app because its free Docs and Sheets software and integration with Google Drive has made it difficult for Microsoft to keep asking users to pay.
Check out our guide to
best cloud storage services to see how the two stack up against the rest of the competition.
The web version of Excel is a more simplified version of the software, so the comparison with Google Sheets is quite similar. Nonetheless, both services should provide everything a casual user is looking for.
Use on mobile
Perhaps again in response to Google, Microsoft’s Office mobile apps are completely free and available on most modern smartphones, tablets, and even foldables.
You can download the Microsoft Excel app for Android and iOS. Microsoft naturally reserves some premium features for its Microsoft 365 subscription, but the mobile apps are still very capable and offer integration with OneDrive.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Check if your school or workplace gets it for free
Many employers offer free Microsoft 365 apps to their employees. Even if your work email address ends with the company name, it can still be used to sign in to a Microsoft account. Go to office.com, click sign in and see if there is an account linked to your email address.
If your school has signed up for Microsoft 365 Education, all staff and students should be able to access Office apps for free. To verify, enter your education email address on the Microsoft website.
But if your school is not yet registered and you are able to change that, you can start the registration process.
Pay full price
However, these free options are not for everyone. If you need more than just basic Excel functions and the app isn’t available to you through school or work, the only alternative is to pay full price.
As of this writing, the cheapest Microsoft 365 subscription is Personal, which costs $6.99/£5.99 per month or $69.99/£59.99 per year. Upgrading to the family plan allows 2-6 people access for $9.99/£7.99 per month or $99.99/£79.99 per year. Both offer a one-month free trial.
Your other option is to pay for Office 2021, the latest standalone version. This is a one-time payment of $149.99 in the US or £119.99 in the UK. Unfortunately, there’s no way to pay for Excel on its own – it comes bundled with Word and PowerPoint here.
To learn more, check out our comprehensive Microsoft 365 buying guide.
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