Excel features that are not fully supported in Excel Starter

Microsoft Excel Starter 2010 is a simplified version of Excel that comes pre-loaded on your computer. Excel Starter includes features that are basic to creating and working with spreadsheets, but it does not include the rich set of features found in the full version of Excel. This article lists the differences in features between Excel Starter and the full version of Excel.

If you find that you need a richer set of features than what Excel Starter provides, you can easily upgrade from Excel Starter to Excel. On the Home tab, click Purchase to visit an online retailer, where you can purchase and download Office right away.

Workbook content

This feature in Excel...	Is supported this way in Excel Starter...
Add-ins	Not available Add-ins cannot be installed with Excel Starter. If you open a workbook that was created with the help of an Excel add-in, some features in the workbook may not be supported.
PivotTables	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains PivotTables, you can sort and filter the PivotTable, and you can cut, copy, paste, or delete the entire PivotTable. You can also format cells in the PivotTable, and you can refresh the data.
PivotChart	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains PivotCharts, you can change the design of the PivotChart (using the Design and Layout tabs), including changing axis labels. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete the entire PivotTable. You can also refresh the data.
Slicers	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains slicers, you can use the slicers to filter data in a PivotTable report. You can also apply Slicer styles, and you can delete a slicer.
SmartArt graphics	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains SmartArt, you can edit and format the text, format the shape, and cut, copy, paste, or delete the entire SmartArt graphic.
Signature line	Not available to create, digital signing not available If you open a workbook that contains a signature line with a valid signature, you can view the signature details. You can also cut, copy, paste, delete, or resize the signature line.
Objects	Objects can be added to a workbook by dragging and dropping them onto the worksheet. Some types of objects are rendered as images, but others are available by clicking the File tab and then clicking Open, if the software for opening the object is installed on your computer
Connections to external data	Not available to create If you open a workbook that connects to external data, Excel Starter refreshes the data.
Data validation	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains rules for validating data, Excel Starter enforces the rules.
Consolidated data	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains consolidated data, the links are supported.
Data table	Not available to create If you open a workbook that contains a data table, you can refresh the data.
Comments	Not available to create or delete If you open a workbook that contains comments, you can format and edit the text in the comments.
Files in the following formats: .xla .xlam .dsn .mde .odc .udl	These files do not open in Excel Starter.

Program features

Excel feature	Availability in Excel Starter
Quick Access Toolbar	You can display the Quick Access Toolbar above or below the ribbon, but you cannot add or remove commands from it.
Ribbon customizations	The Excel Starter ribbon cannot be customized, but you can minimize and expand it by pressing CTRL+F1..
Error checking	Calculation steps are not shown. Circular references cannot be detected. However, if you open a workbook that contains a circular reference, Excel Starter displays the cell number of the circular reference in the status bar.
Views	Full Screen view and custom views are not available. If you open a workbook that was saved in a custom view, Excel Starter displays it in the custom view, and the view cannot be changed.
Column and row headings	Headings cannot be modified, but you can show or hide headings by checking or clearing the View check box in the Sheet Options section of the Page Layout tab.
Outline	If you open a workbook that contains groupings of rows, you can expand and collapse the groups, but you cannot remove the grouping.
Freeze Panes	Panes cannot be frozen. If you open a workbook where the panes are frozen, Excel Starter cannot unfreeze the panes, but you can access all data in the workbook.
Hide and unhide workbook windows	Workbook windows cannot be hidden or unhidden, but rows, columns, and worksheets can be hidden and unhidden. If a workbook with a hidden window is opened, Excel Starter cannot restore the window. There is no data loss, and the hidden window can be unhidden if the workbook is later opened in Excel.
Language packs	Proofing tools are supported, but you cannot change the language of the user interface or help.
Sharing	You can share your workbook by saving it to Windows Live OneDrive, a network location, or by sending it in e-mail. However, Excel Starter does not include a command for sending your workbook as an Internet fax or for saving your workbook to a SharePoint site.