Excel for the web looks a lot like the Excel desktop app. However, there are some differences to be aware of. For example, not all file formats are supported, and some features may work differently than the desktop app. This article explains these differences.
File formats that are supported in Excel for the web
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Excel workbook files (.xlsx)
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Excel 97-2003 workbook files (.xls).
Note: When you open this file format, Excel for the web will convert it to a newer .xlsx file. You can always download the original by going to File > Info > Previous versions. -
CSV (Comma delimited) file (.csv)
Note: When you open this file format, Excel for the web will convert it to a newer .xlsx file. You can always download the original by going to File > Info > Previous versions. -
Excel binary workbook file (.xlsb)
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OpenDocument Spreadsheet file (.ods)
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Excel macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm)
A workbook in this format can be opened but macros do not run in a browser window.
Workbooks in other formats, are generally not supported in Excel for the web.
For more information about Excel file formats, see Save a workbook in another file format.
Note: There are limits to the size of files you can view in SharePoint and the Power BI service. Read more about file size limits for workbooks in SharePoint.
Features that are supported for viewing in Excel for the web
When you view or print a workbook in a browser window, some features might work differently, as summarized in the following table.
| This feature | Works like this in a browser window |
|---|---|
| Calculations | Calculations and calculation settings, including automatic, manual, and iterative calculation settings for ranges or worksheets work in a browser window similar to how they do in Excel. |
| Cells | Cells, including cell values, merged cells, and cell content overview, are displayed in a browser window similar to how they are displayed in Excel. |
| Charts and tables, including PivotChart reports and PivotTable reports | In general, charts, tables, PivotChart reports, and PivotTable reports are displayed in a browser window similar to how they are displayed in Excel. Exceptions include
If you are using Excel Services or Excel Web App on premises (not in the cloud), the ability to display certain content in a browser window depends on whether Excel Services or Excel Web App is used to display a workbook. For more information, see Comparing Excel Services in SharePoint to Excel Web App. |
| Data connections | Depending on how your environment is configured, some kinds of data connections are supported for workbooks displayed in a browser window, which enables you to refresh data. For more information, see Refreshing data in a workbook in a browser window. |
| Dates | Dates that are displayed in a browser window resemble how they're displayed in Excel. |
| External References | In general, the external references in a browser window will work like Excel. They can be updated from the browser window. |
| Fields list for a PivotChart report or a PivotTable report | In general, the Fields List for a PivotChart report or a PivotTable report works in a browser window similar to how it works in Excel. This means that people can use the Fields List to explore information and change the data that is displayed in a PivotChart report or PivotTable report. |
| Filters, slicers, and timeline controls | Filters and slicers generally work in a browser window similar to how they work in Excel. In general, timeline controls work in a browser window similar to how they work in Excel. If you are using Excel Services or Excel Web App on premises (not in the cloud), the ability to display certain content in a browser window depends on whether Excel Services or Excel Web App is used to display a workbook. For more information, see Comparing Excel Services in SharePoint to Excel Web App. |
| Formatting | Cell and cell-range formatting and number formats display in a browser window similar to how they are displayed in Excel. |
| Functions | Most Excel functions work in a browser window as they do in Excel. Exceptions are listed in the Workbook functions section of this article. |
| Line borders | Most, but not all, line borders are displayed in a browser window as they are displayed in Excel. Line colors, continuous- and double-line styles, solid and dashed lines, and lines using thin, medium, and thick line weights are supported. |
| Named items | Named items, such as ranges, tables, charts, PivotChart reports, PivotTable reports, slicers, and timeline controls are generally displayed in a browser window similar to how they are displayed in Excel. If you are using Excel Services or Excel Web App on premises (not in the cloud), the ability to display certain content in a browser window depends on whether Excel Services or Excel Web App is used to display a workbook. For more information, see Comparing Excel Services in SharePoint to Excel Web App. |
| Sparklines | Sparklines display in a browser window similar to how they are displayed in Excel. |
| Tables | Excel tables, including data, column headers, and total rows are displayed in a browser window similar to how they are displayed in Excel. |
Features that can differ between the browser and the desktop
Some features work differently in a browser window than they do in Excel. In addition, some workbook features can prevent a workbook from being viewed in a browser window.
Tip: If you cannot view a workbook in a browser window because it contains unsupported features, try opening the workbook in Excel on the desktop.
| This feature | Works like this in a browser window |
|---|---|
| Controls | Workbooks with controls, such as ActiveX controls and form toolbar controls, can be viewed or edited in the browser window. The controls themselves are not shown on the grid. |
| Data connections | Depending on how your environment is configured, some kinds of data connections can prevent a workbook from being displayed in a browser window. For more information, see Refreshing data in a workbook in a browser window. |
| Data validation | Data validation works the same except that IME mode is not supported in Excel for the web. |
| Digital signatures | Workbooks that use visible or invisible digital signatures cannot be viewed in a browser window. |
| Fonts | Fonts are usually displayed using the same style and size in a browser as they are displayed in Excel. If a workbook uses a specific font that is not available on your device, then another font might be substituted when a workbook is displayed in a browser window. |
| Functions | Some kinds of functions can behave differently in a browser window than they do in Excel. For more information, see the Functions section later in this article. |
| Legacy macro languages | Workbooks that contain legacy macro features, such as Microsoft Excel 4.0 Macro Functions and Microsoft 5.0 dialog sheets cannot be displayed in a browser window. |
| Save | When you or other people edit a workbook in a browser window, changes are saved automatically. |
| Security and privacy | Workbooks that have Information Rights Management (IRM) settings applied at the workbook level cannot be viewed in a browser window. If your organization is using Excel Web App (on premises) or Excel for the web (in the cloud) to display workbooks, then workbooks that are saved in IRM-protected document libraries are supported and can be displayed in a browser window. Workbooks that are sent as IRM-protected attachments in Outlook Web App are also supported and can be displayed in a browser window. However, if your organization is using Excel Services in SharePoint Server (on premises) to display workbooks, workbooks in IRM-protected libraries are not supported, and must be opened in Excel. IRM cannot be applied in the browser. |
| Worksheet protection or workbook protection | Workbooks which are protected (encrypted with password protection) can be viewed and edited in Excel for the web. Worksheets which are protected can only be viewed in Excel for the web. In on-premises environments where you're using Excel Services or Excel Web App, protected worksheets cannot be viewed in a browser window. To remove protection, open the workbook in Excel on the desktop. |
| XML | XML maps, XML embedded smart tags, and XML expansion packs prevent a workbook from being viewed in a browser window. |
Functions in Excel and in Excel for the web
Some workbook functions behave differently in a browser window than they do in Excel. The following table summarizes how some functions work in Excel and in a workbook viewed in a browser window.
| This function | Works like this in Excel | Works like this in Excel for the web |
|---|---|---|
| CHAR | Returns a character specified by a number. For non-printing characters, returns a block character. | Returns a character specified by a number. For non-printing characters, returns blank values. |
| HYPERLINK | Returns an active link that you can click and follow | Depending on the Workbook Interactivity and Workbook Navigation settings that are specified for a workbook, the HYPERLINK function can return an active link or an inactive link text string. |
| INFO | Returns the path of the current directory or folder on the computer. | Returns a #VALUE! error. |
| NOW | Returns the date and time on your computer | Returns the date and time on the server |
| RTD (real-time data) | Returns real-time data from a program that supports COM automation. | If values that have been returned by an RTD function are stored in a workbook, those values are displayed. If no values are stored in the workbook, a #N/A error is returned. |
| TODAY | Returns the date on your computer | Returns the date on the server |
About Excel for the web, Excel Web App (on premises) and Excel Services (on premises)
Different applications can be used to display a workbook in a browser window. Depending on how your environment is configured, you could be using Excel for the web (part of Office for the web), Excel Web App (part of Office Web Apps on premises), or Excel Services in SharePoint Server (on premises) to view a workbook in a browser window.
An IT administrator makes this decision, and it can affect which capabilities are supported when viewing a workbook in a browser window. For more information, see the following resources:
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