Microsoft Excel

By Microsoft

4.7/5(3,189)
4.7 out of 5 stars

How would you rate your experience with Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel Pros and Cons: Top 5 Advantages and Disadvantages

Quick AI Summary Based on G2 Reviews

Generated from real user reviews

Users find Microsoft Excel to be incredibly user-friendly, allowing for easy organization and quick data manipulation. (134 mentions)
Users value the data analysis capabilities of Microsoft Excel, enabling efficient organization and insightful automation of information. (89 mentions)
Users appreciate the flexibility and powerful formulas of Excel, saving time and enhancing data analysis capabilities. (76 mentions)
Users value Excel for its robust data manipulation capabilities, making tasks like scheduling and comparisons effortless. (51 mentions)
Users value the wide range of features in Microsoft Excel, enhancing efficiency and making analysis straightforward. (38 mentions)
Users find the formula complexity in Excel challenging, making it tough to master advanced features effectively. (47 mentions)
Users find Excel's learning curve steep, as it lacks user-friendly features and requires time to master. (45 mentions)
Users experience slow performance with large datasets in Excel, leading to delays and errors during operation. (43 mentions)
Users find poor collaboration in Excel challenging, especially with file sharing and real-time updates among multiple users. (25 mentions)
Users experience slow processing with large datasets or complex formulas, impacting performance and stability significantly. (23 mentions)

5 Pros or Advantages of Microsoft Excel

5 Cons or Disadvantages of Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel Reviews (47)

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Microsoft Excel Reviews (47)

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4.7
3,189 reviews
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Abhishek H.
AH
Abhishek H.
Cloud Analyst
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Microsoft excel is now a very basic need for daily activity as a Business Analyst"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Query and Pivot features are exceptional

Excel is also helpful to show data very effectively to the customers

Keyboard navigation is easy Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Multi user collaboration can be made much better

Also the history of version has to be well managed Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

VY
Vishal Y.
Software Quality Engineer
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Microsoft Excel: Powerful Data Analysis and Seamless Microsoft 365 Collaboration"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

I use Microsoft Excel daily in my professional role for data analysis, reporting, and managing structured information within my organization. Excel is extremely powerful for working with large datasets, creating pivot tables, applying complex formulas, and generating charts that support decision-making.

Its flexibility allows it to be used for everything from simple tracking to advanced analytical tasks. Integration with Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint makes collaboration efficient and reliable in a professional work environment. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

While Microsoft Excel is a very powerful tool, performance can sometimes be affected when working with extremely large files or complex formulas. Managing collaboration with multiple users can also be challenging if files are not properly controlled, even with cloud-based versions.

Additionally, advanced features such as Power Query, macros, and complex formulas have a learning curve, which may require additional training for users in a professional environment. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

SD
Susheel Kumar D.
Account and Finance
Consumer Goods
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Powerful Tool for Data Analysis and Reporting"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

What I like most about Excel is its powerful capabilities for data analysis, reporting, and automation. Features like pivot tables, formulas, conditional formatting, and charts make it easy to analyze large datasets quickly. As an Analyst, I can create financial and operational reports, visualize data trends, and automate repetitive calculations, which saves a lot of time. Integration with other Microsoft 365 tools like Teams and Power BI enhances collaboration and workflow efficiency.. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Excel can sometimes be slow with very large datasets, and advanced formulas have a steep learning curve for new users. Collaboration in shared workbooks can occasionally cause version conflicts. Certain features, like macros, require careful handling to avoid errors. The interface also feels cluttered at times due to the number of available tools and options. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Sree K.
SK
Sree K.
Software Development Engineer in Test III
Computer Software
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excel Feels Like Home: Powerful Desktop Modeling + Smooth SharePoint Collaboration"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

What I like most about Excel (windows app and web) is that it meets me where I am. On my laptop, the desktop app is fast and familiar: I can build a model, crunch through lots of rows, and drop in pivot tables, charts, and advanced formulas without having to think too hard. It handles the heavy lifting—big files and more complex work—plus macros and add-ins when I need them. I can also clean data with Power Query and get it into shape quickly. Day to day, it just feels like home: open, type, calculate, done.

The web app inside SharePoint really shines for teamwork. We share the same sheet across the team, and everyone can jump in. Co-authoring is smooth, and autosave plus version history keep us safe when someone edits the wrong cell. Comments and @mentions make reviews easy, and permissions stay in place so the right people see the right tabs. It’s lighter, yes, but for status trackers, lists, and simple analysis it’s perfect—no local files to pass around and no “final_final_v3.xlsx” drama.

Setup and integration are straightforward. I sign into Microsoft 365 and both apps pick up my files from OneDrive/SharePoint; links and permissions carry over, and I can drop a table into Teams or a deck without jumping through hoops. Search and filters in the web app help me find the document quickly, and on desktop I rely on named ranges, dynamic arrays, and XLOOKUP to keep formulas clean. I use Excel basically every workday on Windows, and a few times a week in the browser with the team. Support-wise, the help pages and community answers usually get me unstuck, and recent updates have added useful features without breaking my muscle memory too much. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

What I dislike about Excel mostly comes down to edge cases. The web app can feel limited with larger models: heavy formulas and more complex chart formatting don’t always behave as expected, and macros are a no-go there, so I end up bouncing back to the desktop version. Sometimes co-authoring also gets into a weird state—someone’s edit won’t show up until a refresh or reopen, or a sheet lock lingers longer than it should—and that slows us down a bit. On Windows, very large files or too many volatile calculations can make a workbook feel sluggish, and I’ll have to save, close, and reopen it to clear things up. None of this is a dealbreaker, but it’s the kind of small friction I notice most when deadlines are tight. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

MAYUR S.
MS
MAYUR S.
Mechanical Design Engineer
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"DATA MANGER"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Excel’s greatest strength is versatility. It manages simple lists and complex data with ease. Powerful formulas, PivotTables, and charts turn numbers into insights. Automation through VBA saves time, while accessibility ensures collaboration. Its balance of simplicity and depth makes Excel timeless, useful for beginners and advanced professionals alike. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Excel can be frustrating when spreadsheets grow too complex, making errors harder to detect and fix. Collaboration is limited compared to cloud tools, and large datasets often slow performance. Charts are basic, and formulas can be error-prone. Overall, Excel struggles with scale, teamwork, and advanced visualization needs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Vikas  S.
VS
Vikas S.
Trainer
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Transforms Raw Data into Actionable Insights Effortlessly"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

I like Microsoft Excel because it efficiently converts raw data into structured, computable formats. It performs calculations with high accuracy, supports large datasets, automates repetitive tasks through formulas and macros, and enables logical decision-making through analysis and visualization. It reduces human error and optimizes time, resources, and output. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

I dislike Microsoft Excel because it is highly dependent on manual input, which increases the risk of data inconsistency. Performance degrades with very large datasets, complex formulas are difficult to audit, and version control is limited in collaborative environments. Errors can propagate silently if not detected. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Prashant S.
PS
Prashant S.
Associate Software Developer (ML)
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Unmatched Versatility and Collaboration with Excel"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

What I like the most about Microsoft Excel is how versatile it is. You can use it for basic tasks like maintaining lists, creating schedules, or simple budgets, and also for advanced work such as formulas, pivot tables, and automation using macros. Excel makes it easy to structure data, filter values, and visualize information through charts and graphs. It is also widely used across teams, so sharing and collaborating becomes smooth without needing much explanation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

The biggest challenge I find is when large files become slow or take time to load, especially when they include a lot of formulas, images, or multiple sheets. Also, some advanced functions require prior knowledge, and beginners may take time to learn them. Real-time multi-user collaboration is possible, but not always seamless like cloud-native tools. Apart from that, I don’t see major issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

UA
Utsav A.
Electrical Engineer
Utilities
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Excel: Easy to Learn, Powerful Tools for Advanced Users"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Excel has a low learning curve for everyday user, while also incorporates specailized tools for advanced users. It is universally accepted and used across all the fields. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Formatting is rigid and incorrect format or hard coded numbers inside formula may generate error. A single wrong cell reference can corrupt the whole result and copy-paste errors are quite common. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Michael S.
MS
Michael S.
District Technology Technician
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excel: The Go-To Standard for Spreadsheet Data Cleanup"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Excel has been around for a very long time and is a standard for working with spread sheets and data tables. This program is the goto to do cleanup of data and doing cleanup to upload into clean systems for new implimentations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

You have to know about formulas and functions to get the most out of the program. There isnt any automated functions like other programs for book keeping does for data relating to billing and money. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

BJ
Ben J.
Enterprise Account Analyst
Logistics and Supply Chain
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Excel Turns Raw Data into Clear Visuals and Streamlines Receivables"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Excel allows me to take raw data and turn it into something visual and consumable for managers, sales associates, and customers. It also allows for the organization of invoicing data to allow for greater efficiency in Receivables processing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Excel can be sometimes glitchy with conditional formatting, formulas sometimes crash and won't appropriately transmit what I need between files, and putting tables from Excel into other documents (Example: Excel to Word) can be tricky. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

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Microsoft Excel
4.7/5(3,189)