Microsoft Excel Viewer

Free software allows you to view spreadsheets created in Microsoft Excel without owning Microsoft Office

Start Download

Free software allows you to view spreadsheets created in Microsoft Excel without owning Microsoft Office

Start Download

Popular programs in Office Suites

Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3

An update for the popular suite of office tools that increases security and functionality

Microsoft PowerPoint

Essential software for the workplace allows you to make presentations with cool animated special effects

Microsoft Word 2016

Widely-used word processor that works on most devices and operating systems

Microsoft Office

Full-featured productivity suite from Microsoft offers a word processor, spreadsheet calculations, slideshows and more

Microsoft Excel

2013 edition of the popular spreadsheet software from Microsoft

Microsoft Project Professional 2016

Professional management tool that gives you the ability to collaborate with a large team

What is Microsoft Excel Viewer

If you don't have the full Microsoft Excel application or Office suite, you can use Excel Viewer to look at spreadsheets that users made in Excel. You only need to run the program and select the spreadsheet that you want to look at. However, there are a few minor limitations.

This viewer doesn't support certain Office 2010 features, such as macros, slicers and sparklines. Nonetheless, it can load many associated formats and display most workbooks properly. The accepted formats include .xls, .xlsx, .xlsb, .xlw, .xlt and several others. It opens spreadsheets created in editions of Excel that released as long ago as 1995.

After loading a file, you can look at the data or print it. Another option is to copy and paste portions of the workbook into a different application. This viewer won't allow you to change the spreadsheet data in any way. Nonetheless, it's helpful if you want to download information or receive an email attachment in this format.

Excel Viewer offers full compatibility with several recent versions of Microsoft Windows. They include XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, Seven and Eight. This 32-bit program will run on 32-bit or 64-bit systems. The application's download size is about 74 megabytes, so users should consider a high-speed connection. You may enhance it by obtaining Excel Viewer service packs.

Basically, this free program provides a convenient solution for anyone who lacks Excel software and needs to view .xls files. It also proves useful if you have an outdated version that can't open newer spreadsheets. You can download and install this viewer rather quickly if you have a fast Internet connection. It performs reliably on most Windows computers.

Pros

Views Excel files without expensive software
Allows users to print or copy and paste the data
Supports spreadsheets created on Macintosh systems
Opens files from new or old PC versions of Excel

Cons

Doesn't let users change spreadsheet data
Won't display sparklines, macros or slicers