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

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

Vote: (154 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Microsoft

Version: 12.0.6611.1000

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(154 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Microsoft

12.0.6611.1000

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Straightforward program that can open and print any Excel document
  • An official Microsoft viewer, this should reduce errors and crashing
  • Lightweight program that will fit on any computer

Cons

  • You cannot create or edit spreadsheet files
  • Some minor errors with slicers and sparklines

Microsoft Excel Viewer is a program that allows you to open and view Excel spreadsheet files. It has a similar design to Excel proper and has several features for viewing and printing documents. The program is very straightforward and has a simple interface that anyone should understand.

Primary Features

As the name implies, Microsoft Excel Viewer is made to help you open and view existing Excel spreadsheets. You can go through the entire document whether it's a small one or a sprawling spreadsheet made for a large business. There is no restriction on how large the file can be.

You can also print the document if you need a physical copy. There are no restrictions on how many copies you make or printing features. You can print multiple copies, have it single-sided or double-sided, print multiple frames per sheet and so on. This also works with all versions of Excel documents. It doesn't matter if the document was made yesterday or several years ago. This program will have no problem opening the spreadsheet.

No Editing or Saving

This software is only for viewing Excel documents. There are no tools for editing existing Excel files. You cannot make any changes to spreadsheets. This program has a similar ribbon layout like with Excel proper, but you won't find any tools for editing the program. You also cannot type in any of the open cells or modify filled cells.

You also cannot make a new document or save existing ones. This program is specifically for viewing and printing Excel documents. You can upgrade and get the real Excel software so that you can make and edit spreadsheets, but this one has those tools and features intentionally disabled.

Official Microsoft Program

This is an official Microsoft program. This means that there will be no odd formatting or problems opening Excel files. Not only that, but this program is very stable and straightforward. You should be able to open any Excel document in a matter of seconds. This also has the familiar Microsoft layout that so many people love.

Microsoft programs are known for macros. These are custom features and programming that allow you to expand on the original program's usage. As you might expect, you cannot run macros with Excel Viewer. You can however view documents that have macros enabled.

While you can view official Excel documents with ease, there are two issues to be aware of. You can use sparklines and slicers with official Excel documents. This program seems to have an issue showing them. It will only show a blank cell with sparklines and an error will occur with slicers.

Lightweight Program

This program is very light because it only has a small number of tools and features. Unlike Excel proper, which is a sizable program, you should have no problem fitting this on any computer even if you have limited hard drive space. Not only that, but the program is very fast. Even larger spreadsheets should open quickly.

Even the ribbon layout is lightweight from a visual standpoint. It's very easy to find the exact tool you want.

Pros

  • Straightforward program that can open and print any Excel document
  • An official Microsoft viewer, this should reduce errors and crashing
  • Lightweight program that will fit on any computer

Cons

  • You cannot create or edit spreadsheet files
  • Some minor errors with slicers and sparklines