This wikiHow teaches you how to download Microsoft Excel to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. While the computer version of Microsoft Excel can only be downloaded as part of a Microsoft Office suite, you can download Excel as a separate program for free on iPhone and Android platforms. However, keep in mind that you must have a Microsoft account in order to purchase and use Office 365 services on a computer.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Office 365 on a Desktop Computer
Step 1. Subscribe to the Office 365 service
Before you can download Microsoft Excel for permanent use, you need to subscribe to the Office 365 service.
If you want to try Office 365 for free for a month, you can download the free trial period that is offered
Step 2. Go to the “Office” page in your account
Visit https://www.office.com/myaccount/ through your computer's web browser. Your Office subscription page will load if you are signed in to your account.
If not, enter your account email address and password when prompted
Step 3. Click Install >
It's an orange button on the left side of the page.
Step 4. Click Install
It's on the right side of the page. Once clicked, the Office 365 installation file will download immediately.
You may need to specify a save location or confirm the download before the file is downloaded, depending on your browser settings
Step 5. Install Office 365
The steps that need to be followed may differ depending on the operating system of the computer. Double-click the Office installation file, and then follow these steps:
- Windows - Click “ Yes ” when prompted, then wait for Office to finish installing. You can click " Close ” when prompted to complete the installation.
- Mac - Click “ Continue ", choose " Continue ", click " agree ", click " Continue ", click " Install ”, enter the Mac computer password, click “ Install Software, and select " Close ” when prompted.
Step 6. Search for Excel
Microsoft Excel is installed as part of every version of Office 365 so you can find these programs after installation is complete:
-
Windows - Click the menu “ Start ”
Windowsstart then type excel to display the Excel icon at the top of the “Start” menu.
-
Mac - Click Spotlight
Macspotlight then type excel to bring Excel to the top of the search results.
Method 2 of 4: Using the Free Trial Version of Office on a Desktop Computer
Step 1. Go to the Office free trial page
Visit https://products.office.com/en-us/try via a computer web browser. You can use Excel for free for a month if you download the free trial version of Office 365.
Step 2. Click TRY 1-MONTH FREE
This option is on the left side of the page.
Step 3. Sign in to your Microsoft account when prompted
Type in your account email address and password to log in.
If you recently signed in to your Microsoft account, you may not need to do this step
Step 4. Click Next
It's at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Choose a payment method
Click " Credit card or debit card ” to add card information, or select another payment option (e.g. “ PayPal ”) in the "Pick a payment method" section.
While Microsoft won't charge you for Office 365 right away, you'll be charged for a year's Office 365 subscription after the one-month free trial ends
Step 6. Enter payment information
Fill in the payment information form for your chosen method. For cards, information that needs to be entered includes billing address, card number, expiration date, and more.
If you choose a non-card payment method, you will need to follow the on-screen instructions to add information
Step 7. Scroll through the screen and click Next
It's at the bottom of the page. You will be taken to an overview page after that.
If you are using a non-card payment method, you will be asked to enter your billing details and click “ Next ” before continuing.
Step 8. Click Subscribe
It's at the bottom of the page. You will be taken to the " Office " page of your account after this step.
Step 9. Download and install Office 365
Follow these steps:
- Click " Install > ” on the left side of the page.
- Click " Install ” on the right side of the page.
- Double-click the downloaded Office 365 installation file.
- Follow the installation instructions displayed on the screen.
Step 10. Cancel the trial period before you are charged
If you don't want to be charged an Office 365 subscription a year, one month from now, follow these steps:
- Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services/ and sign in to your account if prompted.
- Scroll down and click " Payment & billing ” under the "Office 365" heading.
- Click " Cancel ” on the right side of the page.
- Click " Confirm cancellation ” when prompted.
Method 3 of 4: On iPhone
Step 1. Open App Store on iPhone
Tap the App Store icon, which looks like a white “A” on a light blue background.
Step 2. Touch Search
It's a magnifying glass icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Touch the search bar
This bar is at the top of the screen. After that, the keyboard will be displayed on the device screen.
Step 4. Search for Excel
Type excel, then touch excel ” in the list of search results. You will be taken to the next Excel page.
Step 5. Touch GET
It's to the right of the Excel icon.
-
If you've downloaded Excel before, tap the "Download" icon
Iphoneappstoredownloadbutton on this page.
Step 6. Scan for Touch ID
Confirm the selection by scanning your fingerprint. Microsoft Excel will be downloading soon.
If your iPhone doesn't support Touch ID (or you haven't set up Touch ID for the App Store), you'll need to enter your Apple ID password when prompted
Method 4 of 4: On Android Device
Step 1. Open Google Play Store on Android device
Tap the Play Store icon, which looks like a colorful triangle on a white background.
Step 2. Touch the search bar
This bar is at the top of the screen. The keyboard will be displayed on the device screen afterwards.
If the Google Play Store directly displays tabs other than the “ GAMES ”, touch tabs “ GAMES ” at the top of the screen first before you select the search bar.
Step 3. Open the Excel page
Type excel, then touch Microsoft Excel ” in the displayed drop-down menu (next to the green and white Excel icon). You will be taken to the next Microsoft Excel page.
Step 4. Touch INSTALL
It's in the top-right corner of the page. Microsoft Excel will soon be downloaded to the device.
