--- title: "Microsoft Excel Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about Microsoft Excel Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Spreadsheet products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/176574/Excel/" page_type: "product" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-10-19" --- # Microsoft Excel Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on October 19, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Microsoft Excel ## What is Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Excel is a productivity tool for creating spreadsheets, and for performing statistics and analysis. It features over 100 functions and more than 235 built-in formulas, 1D and 2D charting, pivot tables for cross-tabulation analysis, multiple worksheets, mail merge capabilities and macros. Use Excel to analyze data and reports in order to discover patterns, trends and gain new insights. With a robust set of tools, you'll be able to create, format and share spreadsheets without difficulty. This application comes with a multitude of slots for storage and types of storage, including audio files and word processors. It also has many different functions, which allow the user to do a large range of tasks. ## What is Microsoft Excel used for? [Spreadsheet](https://www.capterra.com/spreadsheet-software/)[Productivity](https://www.capterra.com/productivity-software/) Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 19,513 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 98% Neutral 2% Negative 0% Pros & cons Robust data tracking tools Comprehensive budgeting capabilities Frequent bugs and reliability issues High cost and subscription model Starting price $6 Per User, Per Month Free trial not available Includes Free Version Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Microsoft Excel?[Manage this product listing](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-excel/claim_requests/new?auto=true) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Microsoft Excel 4.8 (19,539) VS. [4.6 (6,134)](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/reviews/) Starting Price $6 Per User, Per Month Starting Price $9 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.3 (19,452) Ease Of Use 4.5 (84,303) Value For Money 4.6 (13,092) Value For Money 4.3 (60,296) Customer Service 4.3 (11,371) Customer Service 4.4 (55,216) ## Microsoft Excel alternatives [4.4 (3,046)](https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/reviews/) Starting price $10.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 89% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.2 (1,009)](https://www.capterra.com/p/113540/Bitrix24/reviews/) Starting price $69.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 82% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars Highest Rated [Google Workspace](https://www.capterra.com/p/247901/Google-Workspace/) [4.7 (87,167)](https://www.capterra.com/p/247901/Google-Workspace/reviews/) Starting price $7.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/247901/Google-Workspace/) [Microsoft 365](https://www.capterra.com/p/227157/Microsoft-365/) [4.6 (14,183)](https://www.capterra.com/p/227157/Microsoft-365/reviews/) Starting price $6.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 95% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/227157/Microsoft-365/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/176574/Excel/alternatives/) ## FAQs about Microsoft Excel Overview ### What problems does Microsoft Excel solve? Microsoft Excel solves fragmented data tracking, manual calculations, and unclear reporting by organizing records, applying formulas, reconciling transactions, and turning raw data into PivotTables, charts, and dashboards. Finance, accounting, operations, sales, educators, analysts, and project teams use it for budgets, inventory, KPI tracking, forecasts, audit workpapers, and performance reporting. Answer based on 13458 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Excel is most used by business owners, executives, and managers for budgeting, performance tracking, and operational planning. Accountants and analysts rely on it for financial calculations and reporting, while project and office managers organize schedules, tasks, and records. Students, teachers, engineers, and developers use spreadsheets for coursework, data analysis, and technical documentation. Answer based on 19435 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is Microsoft Excel built for? Microsoft Excel is designed for businesses of all sizes, with small businesses representing 61% of reviewers and Information Technology and Services leading industries at 6%. It also serves enterprises (23%) and midsize businesses (15%), with Education Management at 6% and Computer Software at 5%. Its most common use is spreadsheet work (58%). Answer based on 19531 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Excel includes core data import/export and search/filter tools for working with large datasets, plus offline access for opening, editing, and saving spreadsheets without an internet connection. Collaboration tools, file sharing, and real-time updates support shared editing, while charting, data visualization, and customizable templates help present and structure information. Answer based on 1369 reviews Pricing ### How much does it cost and what fees or limitations are included? Microsoft Excel starts at $6 per user/month through Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which includes web and mobile Office apps, collaboration, and file sharing; subscriptions auto-renew. A free version is available. Reviewers often consider the bundle good value, though some say paid access and subscription licensing can be costly versus free alternatives. Answer based on 1536 reviews Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does Microsoft Excel integrate with? Microsoft Excel integrates with over 90 integrations, including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, OneDrive, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams. It also connects with Google Sheets, Google Drive, Dropbox, Airtable, Asana, ClickUp, and ActiveCampaign for file sharing, reporting, collaboration, and workflow management. Answer based on 2650 reviews Getting Started and Support ### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Excel is easy to introduce for basic data entry, tables, and calculations, especially for users familiar with Microsoft apps. Video training is available, and reviewers report that beginners and occasional users need more time for formulas, pivot tables, macros, and advanced analysis. Teams often benefit from role-specific courses and shared templates. Answer based on 4277 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does Microsoft Excel offer, and how do users rate the experience? Microsoft Excel offers email/help desk, FAQ/forum, knowledge base, and phone support. Users often find help articles, community discussions, and tutorials effective for resolving common questions. Direct support receives mixed feedback: some report helpful, professional resolutions, while others cite slow replies, long waits, difficulty reaching representatives, and limited help with complex issues. Answer based on 223 reviews Security ### How does Microsoft Excel handle data security and access control? Microsoft Excel uses password protection, encryption, and workbook, worksheet, and cell locking to restrict access and prevent unauthorized edits. Users can set separate passwords for opening and editing files, assign sharing permissions, and protect formulas. Reviewers note passwords cannot be reset or recovered, protection can be weak, and shared-file permissions may become confusing. Answer based on 322 reviews ## Who uses Microsoft Excel? Based on Capterra reviews from the past year Talk to a software expert to get a free software list tailored to your business needs ## Pros and Cons Robust data tracking tools 97% positive reviews out of 840 Most reviewers indicate tracking in Excel enables monitoring of finances, projects, and trends across various needs. Rachel T. Accounts Administrator, 2 - 10 employees. "Excel is a very handy tool for keeping track of finances in many ways. " Frequent bugs and reliability issues 65% negative reviews out of 1394 Most reviewers describe bugs and issues in Excel, including crashes, unclear errors, and slowdowns with complex tasks. Nicholas D. Project Manager, 11 - 50 employees. "Customer support, when needed, can also be very unhelpful. If there are bugs or issues that haven't been previously reported en masse, you might just not have a solution, and need to find a work-around, which may, or may not, be possible." Comprehensive budgeting capabilities 97% positive reviews out of 816 Most reviewers describe budgeting in Excel as versatile, supporting personal, business, and project finances efficiently. Anonymous User Project Engineer, Team Lead, 51 - 200 employees. "It is a very versatile software that I can use to balance budgets, manage rental payment dates, and conditionally format cells to show what I need" High cost and subscription model 52% negative reviews out of 973 Some reviewers feel pricing is a drawback, citing expensive licenses, subscriptions, and less affordability than alternatives. Versatile information organization 98% positive reviews out of 803 Most reviewers find organization in Excel invaluable for managing lists, schedules, and diverse data with ease. Cassandra J. Engineer, 2 - 10 employees. "What I like most about Microsoft Excel is that it's so easy and convenient to organize information also I like how it's color identified" Challenging file management for large data 62% negative reviews out of 898 Most reviewers report file management struggles with large datasets, frequent crashes, and limited real-time collaboration. Melissa M. Manager, 501 - 1,000 employees. "it can crash in large formula design i have lost work previously when cells with large functions just stop working - if it gets to complex the file sizes get overwhelming, which can make multi workbook analysis problematic" ## Features AI summary Based on 7,091 Spreadsheet reviews Capterra data shows that buyers of spreadsheet software rank the following features as their top priorities: - **Access Controls/Permissions** (**47%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Data Import/Export** (**44%**) - **Document Management** (**43%**) Microsoft Excel includes **Data Import/Export** and **Document Management**, so teams can move data in and out of the system and keep spreadsheet files organized for ongoing work. However, it does not offer **Access Controls/Permissions**. Instead, it provides other features that reviewers also rate highly, including **Offline Access** (**43%**), **Search/Filter** (**41%**), and **Data Visualization** (**41%**), helping businesses work without an internet connection, find information faster, and turn raw data into clearer insights for reporting and decision-making. Data Import/Export 4.7 (2,172) 64.04% of 2172 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Microsoft Excel offers flexible data import/export options, supporting formats like CSV, PDF, and integration with products such as Revit and databases. Users think it saves time, enables cross-platform work, and streamlines large dataset handling, though some want better performance with huge files. Document Management 4.6 (1,678) 55.30% of 1678 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Store, manage, and track all electronic documents in a centralized location Offline Access 4.7 (3,281) 60.68% of 3281 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With this capability, you can work on spreadsheets, analyze data, and save files without internet access. Reviewers appreciate being able to stay productive during outages or travel, and mention seamless syncing with OneDrive once reconnected. Search/Filter 4.6 (1,815) 61.54% of 1815 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important It helps you quickly find, filter, and organize information in large datasets. Reviewers indicate these tools save significant time, support detailed analysis, and make handling massive spreadsheets manageable, especially with advanced options like Power Query and pivot tables. Data Visualization 4.6 (1,643) 59.28% of 1643 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Excel gives you a variety of ways to turn raw data into charts, graphs, and dashboards. Users think the visualization tools make complex data easy to interpret, customize, and present, supporting better analysis and communication with options like pivot tables and conditional formatting. Collaboration Tools 4.3 (2,939) 54.24% of 2939 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With collaboration tools, you and your team can co-edit spreadsheets in real time using OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. Some reviewers find these tools valuable for remote work, but note all collaborators need Microsoft 365 and syncing can lag compared to Google Sheets. Microsoft Excel 25 features Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases Manage patient documentation describing all clinical interactions, diagnoses, procedures, medications, etc. With collaboration tools, you and your team can co-edit spreadsheets in real time using OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. Some reviewers find these tools valuable for remote work, but note all collaborators need Microsoft 365 and syncing can lag compared to Google Sheets. Leave comments and notes on documents for others to view Pre-designed layouts that can be customized to match preferences and requirements Microsoft Excel offers flexible data import/export options, supporting formats like CSV, PDF, and integration with products such as Revit and databases. Users think it saves time, enables cross-platform work, and streamlines large dataset handling, though some want better performance with huge files. Excel gives you a variety of ways to turn raw data into charts, graphs, and dashboards. Users think the visualization tools make complex data easy to interpret, customize, and present, supporting better analysis and communication with options like pivot tables and conditional formatting. Store, manage, and track all electronic documents in a centralized location Assemble applications and processes by dragging over and arranging pre-built components Public or private sharing of digital files such as documents, audio/video, images, and more Ability to handle several projects simultaneously Allow users to create, edit, and sort multiple notes A collection of tools to be used for routine tasks within an organization such as word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. With this capability, you can work on spreadsheets, analyze data, and save files without internet access. Reviewers appreciate being able to stay productive during outages or travel, and mention seamless syncing with OneDrive once reconnected. Tools to facilitate the production of information and promote efficiency Plan and coordinate all the resources, costs and time needed to execute assignments Receive data and information in real time Receive system updates as soon as any changes are made It helps you quickly find, filter, and organize information in large datasets. Reviewers indicate these tools save significant time, support detailed analysis, and make handling massive spreadsheets manageable, especially with advanced options like Power Query and pivot tables. Create, manage and track all task activities and progression Allow multiple team members to edit and work on the same document Sample files or documents that could be customized as needed or used as is A digital list of items that need to be completed Track revisions and updates made to files and navigate between different versions Provides varying estimates based on different scenarios Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.7 (19,443) 4.7 Based on 19,443 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.6 (13092) Free Version [View pricing plan details](https://www.capterra.com/p/176574/Excel/pricing/) Microsoft 365 Business Basic $6.00 Per User,Per Month It includes: - File sharing - Collaboration Microsoft 365 Apps for business $8.25 Per User,Per Month Microsoft 365 Business Standard $12.50 Per User,Per Month Microsoft 365 Business Premium $22.00 Per User,Per Month Value for money 4.6 (13,092) 4.6 Based on 13,092 reviews ## Integrations [ PayPal Payments](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/)[ Slack](https://www.capterra.com/p/135003/Slack/)[ Trello](https://www.capterra.com/p/211559/Trello/)[ Dropbox](https://www.capterra.com/p/143068/Dropbox-Business/)[ Microsoft PowerPoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/141633/PowerPoint/)[ Jira](https://www.capterra.com/p/19319/JIRA/)[ WordPress](https://www.capterra.com/p/131687/WordPress/)[ Zoom Workplace](https://www.capterra.com/p/144037/Zoom-Video-Conferencing/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.3 (11371) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.3 (11,371) 4.3 Based on 11,371 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.8 Based on 19,513 reviews Filter by rating Counts reflect reviews available in this feed. 5(15541) 4(3594) 3(337) 2(30) 1(11) Mentioned topic Recent reviews first, then most helpful Moriah M. Executive Assistant Used the software for: 5+ years ### "Excel Is a Classic We Use for Everything!" 5.0 November 10, 2026 There is now an option to work offline with Excel documents and it is so helpful to working when wifi is weak or you're travelling! Pros What's not to love about Excel? It's a classic for a reason! I can't imagine doing half of what I do without it - we use it for literally everything. Cons I understand that it is this way for good reason, but it can be frustrating that cells can get deleted so easily and accidentally and then you can't always go back enough to save that information. I wish there was. way to "save cells" or make sure that you don't want to delete that information before it's too late. Vivek Y. Full stack Developer ### "Easy-to-Use Spreadsheet Tool for Data Management and Analysis" 4.5 November 9, 2026 Microsoft Excel helps me solve problems related to organizing data, performing calculations, tracking information, and creating reports. It reduces manual work, saves time, minimizes calculation errors, and makes it easier to analyze data and make informed decisions. It improves my productivity by keeping information organized and accessible in one place. Pros I like Microsoft Excel because it makes organizing, managing, and analyzing data easy. It offers useful features like formulas, charts, pivot tables, and data formatting that help save time and improve productivity. Cons Some features of Microsoft Excel can be difficult for beginners to understand. Large spreadsheets may become slow, and complex formulas can be confusing or lead to errors. Also, collaboration and formatting can sometimes be challenging when multiple people work on the same file. Franko Andre L. analista de sistemas Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Powerful and versatile: organize data, create charts, and analyze information efficiently" 4.5 November 6, 2026 It helps us create reports with charts, allowing us to visualize both strengths and opportunities for improvement in the service. Pros It is a powerful and versatile spreadsheet application, widely used for organizing data, performing calculations, creating charts, and analyzing information clearly and efficiently. It also offers the possibility of integrating with Gemini, Microsoft's AI, and maintains good performance when executing any prompt. Cons The learning curve is quite steep, especially when it comes to using the more advanced functions. MA Manager Manager Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Microsoft Excel – A Reliable Tool for Data Management and Productivity" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 7, 2026 My overall experience with Microsoft Excel has been positive. It is a useful tool for managing information, creating spreadsheets, organising data and performing calculations. I like its templates and easy navigation. It helps me work more efficiently and keep information organised. Pros I like that Microsoft Excel makes it easy to organise information, manage data and perform calculations. It has useful templates, formulas and tools that save time and improve productivity. The layout is also helpful for keeping information organised. Cons Some advanced formulas and features can be difficult for beginners to understand. It can also be confusing when working with large spreadsheets. Some features require an internet connection, and occasional issues can affect productivity. Mikael M. Sales Engineer Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "A Useful Tool for Effective Sales Reporting" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 4, 2026 Excel has been a handy tool for my sales work. It helps me to keep things organized before meeting the clients and analyze the performance trends. Pros It is the capability of converting raw data into something that makes sense to me which I like most about Microsoft Excel. My sales work involves using spreadsheets for comparing data, creating sales reports, tracking objectives and organizing customer data. Cons Using formulas can be quite tedious at times, especially while working on other people’s spreadsheets. Moreover, managing different copies of documents which are being shared with others can become challenging TE Teacher Teacher Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Great tool " 5.0 November 2, 2026 I use it to organize and share data with a team I work with. It has been a wonderful tool. It is much easier to work with than other similar products. Pros Microsoft Excel is an excellent tool for organizing data. It is easy to send as an attachment when working with others. Cons Microsoft Excel can do so much. A bit of training or playing around with it is needed to learn all its capabilities. AO Anne O. Senior Developer Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Excel - Essential for Spreadsheets and Data" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 October 30, 2026 Excel is a handy tool to view and sort data in spread sheets. Excel has some great ways to display the data through professional-looking graphs, charts, and tables. Pros Excel makes it easy to sort, find, and display data. It can be used to create engaging visual data representations through templates, graphs, charts and tables. It's a great value. Cons The Excel interface gets updated once in awhile to add new features, but sometimes the new interface makes it hard to find some of the old features. KD Kelly D. Finance Accounting Manager Used the software for: 3-5 years ### "Microsoft Excel is great for report tracking" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 October 30, 2026 Our organization uses it on a daily basis among all departs. We build different report tracking spreadsheets to keep us up to date with our clients and summarize where our company is Pros The ease of building reports and creating reports to determine financial outcomes. The reports we build to track client data helps us see what is happening for multiple clients in a summary of data. Cons Upgrades make it difficult when icons move or shift and the user has to search to find what they are looking for. SA Sr. Accountant Sr. Accountant Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "A Reliable Tool for Organizing Everyday Life" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 October 30, 2026 My overall experience with Microsoft Excel has been excellent. I use it to keep information organized, work with numbers, create lists, and track different things in my daily life. The formulas and built-in templates make many tasks quicker, while charts help me understand information at a glance. I also like that Excel offers both simple tools for everyday use and advanced features for more detailed projects. Although it takes some practice to learn everything, I find it reliable, versatile, and worth the money. Pros What I like most about Microsoft Excel is how flexible and useful it is for organizing information, managing personal budgets, tracking expenses, and keeping everything structured in one place. I especially like the formulas, sorting and filtering options, and ready-made templates because they save me time and make everyday tasks easier. The charts and formatting tools are also great for turning numbers into clear, easy-to-understand information. I find the interface familiar and appreciate being able to access my files across different devices. Cons Some advanced formulas and features can be confusing at first, especially when working with large or complicated spreadsheets. Occasionally, formatting can become messy when copying data between files, and large workbooks may take longer to load. I also think the mobile version could offer a smoother experience for editing complex spreadsheets. More beginner-friendly explanations for advanced features would make Excel even better. SC scheduler scheduler Used the software for: 1-3 years ### "Microsoft Excel Review" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 October 26, 2026 Microsoft Excel proficiency is generally categorized into three main skill levels based on the specific tools, functions, and data-handling capabilities you use. Pros Microsoft Excel stands out for its unmatched flexibility, combining an intuitive grid structure with deep analytical tools like Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, and automated formulas that handle everything from quick math to complex financial models Cons Common complaints about Microsoft Excel include poor performance with massive datasets, clunky real-time collaboration, and a high risk of silent formula or version-control errors. 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