How to Get Microsoft Excel for Free
If you’re looking to use Microsoft Excel but don’t want to spend the money to purchase a subscription, you’re in luck! There are several ways to obtain Excel for free. Since Excel is an essential tool for many people, including students and professionals, being able to get it at no cost can be a real life-saver. In this article, we will explore five ways to obtain Microsoft Excel for free, so you can start using it without breaking the bank.
Excel Alternatives
Though Microsoft Excel may be considered the gold standard, it’s not the only option available to use for spreadsheets. There are several alternatives to Microsoft Excel that can be used for similar tasks. These alternatives include:
- Google Sheets: This free web-based program is very similar to Excel and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
- LibreOffice Calc: This open-source software is free and works well for those on a budget.
- OpenOffice: Another open-source offering, OpenOffice has similar features to Excel.
While these options may not have all of the advanced features that Excel provides, they can still be used to accomplish many of the same tasks. Additionally, they are excellent choices for those who only need a spreadsheet program for basic data entry or small projects.
Microsoft’s Office 365 Subscription
Microsoft’s Office 365 is another way to obtain Excel, along with other Microsoft Office programs. Though it does come with a cost, Microsoft offers a free one-month trial of Office 365 which includes Excel. After the free month, you do have to pay for the subscription; however, there are steps you can take to extend the trial period.
The first option is to sign up for a new trial account. Although this might require creating a new email account, it’s an easy way to get another month of the free trial. Alternatively, you can contact Microsoft customer service and ask for an extension of the trial period. While there is no guarantee that you will be granted an extension, it’s worth a try if you need more time to evaluate the software.
Student Discounts
If you are a student, you may be eligible for discounted software, including Microsoft’s Office Suite, which includes Excel. All you need is a valid .edu email address, and you can sign up for a discounted version of the software. The student version of MS Office often comes with additional features tailored to students, such as research tools, collaboration, and OneNote integration.
Open-source Software
Another option for obtaining Excel for free is to use open-source software versions of the program. One of the most well-known open-source offerings is LibreOffice Calc. It has similar features to Excel, including pivot tables and conditional formatting. However, it does not offer some of the more advanced features of Excel, such as Power Pivot and Power Query.
Another option is OpenOffice, which is an open-source software suite that includes a spreadsheet program. It is similar to LibreOffice Calc in that it does not offer some of the more advanced features of Excel but can handle basic spreadsheet tasks with ease.
Conclusion
There you have it – five ways to obtain Microsoft Excel for free. Whether you’re a student on a budget or just looking to save a little money, these options offer a way to use Excel without the high price tag. And if you’re unsure which option is right for you, there’s no harm in trying out several of them to see which one best fits your needs.
