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Excel Alternative: 5 Best Picks with Excellent Compatibility
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Published onSeptember 25, 2024
published onSeptember 25, 2024
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Finding the right Excel alternative can do wonders for your productivity and collaboration. To help you out, I looked for tools that can handle everything from complex data analysis to collaborative projects.
They can help you manage data, create powerful reports, and collaborate more effectively. After trying over 15 options, I picked the five best ones that replicate Excel’s core features and offer even more.
Let’s explore them!
5 Best Excel Alternatives
Here are my picks:
Google Sheets– Best Overall Tool
Google Sheetsis one of the topcloud-based spreadsheettools available today. It integrates with Google Drive, making file management easy. The best part? You can access your files from anywhere and collaborate in real-time. You can also start a video call through theGoogle Meet feature.
However, its collaboration features set Google Sheets apart from Excel. Multiple users canedit the same sheet simultaneously, with changes updating instantly. TheCommentsfeature and user-specificediting historyare helpful for team projects.
Another notable feature is its ability towork offline. This is perfect for those moments without an internet connection when you still need to work on projects. Best of all, Google Sheets isfree, making it an excellent budget-friendly Excel alternative.
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Get Google Sheets
WPS Office Spreadsheets– Best User-friendly Option
WPS Officeprovides a sleek and highly compatible Excel alternative through its WPS Spreadsheets. It’s an excellent option if you seek a tool that looks and feels like Excelwithout a high price tag. It supports several formats, including.xlsx, .xls, and .csv.It’s also compatible withWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
One standout feature of WPS Spreadsheets is its richtemplate library. Whether you’re managing budgets, analyzing business data, or working on a project plan, you can use pre-designed templates to save time. The software also includes powerful data analysis tools, such aspivot tablesand scenario management, and support for several functions andformulas.
Moreover, you can count oncloud supportandmobile access, making it easy to work on your spreadsheets across devices. WPS offers afree version, but premium plans are available at a fee if you want advanced features like collaboration tools and additional cloud storage.
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WPS Office Spreadsheets
Zoho Sheets– Best Free Option
Zoho Sheets is anothercloud-basedExcel alternative that stands out for its versatility. Its clean interface makes it easy to use and supports several Excel features likepivot tables, charts,andadvanced formulas.
It also allows users tolock cellswithin aspreadsheet. This prevents accidental edits and ensures that critical data remains protected, especially in collaborative environments. By locking cells, you can control who has access while allowing others to view or edit the rest of the sheet.
Moreover, Zoho’sdata cleaningfeature allows team members to identify and correct errors quickly in real-time. Additionally, theversion historyfunction lets users roll back to previous iterations of the spreadsheet. It’s alsofreeto use.
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Get Zoho Sheets
LibreOffice Calc– Best Open-source Option
Another top Excel alternative isLibreOfficeCalc, which is part of the LibreOffice suite. Thisfree and open-sourcetool offers features for casual users and data-heavy professionals.
One area where LibreOffice Calc shines is in itssupport for functions, formulas, andchart creation. Its pivot tables are as powerful as Excel’s, and it also featuresDataPilot,which lets you pull data from external databases.
Furthermore, LibreOffice Calc’s open-source nature meansconstant updatesandimprovementsfrom its active community of developers. It supports several file formats, includingMicrosoft Excel files. For those who need a fully-featured spreadsheet tool without the cost of a subscription, LibreOffice Calc is an excellent option.
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Get LibreOffice Calc
OnlyOffice– Best for Compatibility
OnlyOfficeis an impressive Excel alternative that blends functionality with a sleek,user-friendly interface. Ideal for personal and professional use, this spreadsheet tool is fully compatible with Excel file formats andWindows XP, Vista, and versions up to 11.
OnlyOffice also offers powerful data analysis tools, includingpivot tables,conditional formatting, and support forcomplex formulas. Moreover, you can managepluginson the sheet through its Plugins button.
That’s not all.
OnlyOffice can integrate with popular cloud storage services likeGoogle Drive,Dropbox, andOneDrive.
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Get OnlyOffice
How I Chose the Best Excel Alternative
During my research, I considered key features and functionalities that cater to several user needs. Here are the main criteria I used:
Each of these options offers something unique, whether it’s Google Sheets’ collaborative prowess or Zoho Sheets’ automation. The key to choosing the best Excel alternative is understanding your specific needs. No matter which one you choose, they’re all worthy contenders for replacing Microsoft Excel in your workflow.
More about the topics:Excel
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
