Microsoft Excel Reviews & Product Details

What I love most about Microsoft Excel is how seamlessly it fits into my day-to-day workflow as a software developer. PivotTables and Power Query let me summarize and transform SQL Server data in seconds without writing extra code, and that alone saves me hours every week.

Excel also really shines because of its integration ecosystem. The Claude add-in has been a game-changer for me: I can ask Claude to generate complex formulas, explain patterns in my data, or help me structure spreadsheets using natural language, all without leaving Excel. Tasks that used to require a lot of trial and error now take only seconds.

From a performance standpoint, Excel handles large datasets reliably, and the ribbon UI keeps features easy to find and use.

Overall, Excel is the tool that helps me move faster and get more done. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The biggest pain point for me is performance with large datasets. Once files pass a certain size—especially when there are multiple formulas referencing external data—recalculation times become frustrating, and crashes aren’t uncommon. For heavier data work, this ends up pushing users toward proper database tools, even in cases where Excel could handle the job better.

Version control is also nearly nonexistent. Coming from a development background, the lack of native Git integration or any meaningful change tracking is a constant source of frustration. Cloud co-authoring has improved, but conflict resolution still feels rough when multiple people edit at the same time, especially compared to more modern collaboration tools.

The AI/Copilot experience is inconsistent as well. While the Claude add-in fills this gap beautifully, the native Copilot feature often misunderstands context or generates incorrect formulas—and it requires a separate, higher-tier Microsoft 365 subscription, which hurts the ROI proposition.

Onboarding for advanced features is steep. Power Query, Power Pivot, and array formulas are incredibly useful, but they’re not well explained for the average user. Microsoft’s official support resources often feel outdated or overly generic, which makes it harder than it should be to learn these capabilities.

Finally, pricing transparency could be better. It’s not always clear which features require which license tier, and realizing a feature you need is locked behind an upgrade creates a poor user experience. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What I appreciate most about Microsoft Excel is its remarkable versatility and robust data analysis features. Excel enables users to handle a wide range of tasks, from basic data entry and calculations to more advanced activities like financial modeling, data visualization, and automation through the use of formulas, PivotTables, and macros. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One aspect I find frustrating about Microsoft Excel is how challenging it can be to manage and maintain when dealing with large or complex datasets. For example, performance can suffer significantly—Excel may slow down or even crash when processing very large files or intricate data models. Additionally, although Excel Online and OneDrive have improved things, real-time collaboration still isn't as smooth or intuitive as what you get with tools like Google Sheets. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

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 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.

What’s not to like? From tables to macros to automations and sort features, making drop down lists. Any type of organization or database you need, excel can do it! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The only downside is that certain formulas do calculate when the workbook is closed a if you’re using it for an automation outside of excel or linking to another sheet, you will have to open it (I am still researching this and hoping to find a solution). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

As a huge fan, I love doing all my data analysis in Excel. Integration with Power BI and quick performance gives me the flexibility I need to build professional dashboards and graphs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I haven’t found any downsides yet. That said, I’d probably like to see more customization tools and menus to update and adjust. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

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.

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.

The best thing about Excel is its unmatched power for data analysis. Features like PivotTables and XLOOKUP make it incredibly easy to organize thousands of rows of data. It’s the industry standard for a reason—it can handle complex financial modeling that other spreadsheet tools just can't touch.

I love how flexible Excel is. I use it for everything from simple checklists to complex project trackers. The conditional formatting and automation help me visualize trends quickly, and since almost every business uses it, sharing files with clients is always seamless and headache-free.

Excel is a huge time-saver. Once you learn a few key formulas or set up Power Query, you can automate repetitive tasks that used to take hours. It's reliable, fast, and the integration with the rest of Microsoft 365 makes my workflow much smoother. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The learning curve can be pretty steep. While basic tasks are easy, the more advanced features—like Power Pivot or complex nesting formulas—aren’t very intuitive for a beginner. You often have to spend a lot of time on YouTube or forums just to figure out how to do one specific thing.

It can get sluggish or even crash when you're working with massive datasets or too many formulas. If a file gets over 50MB, you start to see 'Not Responding' messages, which is frustrating when you're in the middle of a big project. It still feels a bit 'heavy' compared to lighter web-based tools.

Collaborating in real-time is better than it used to be, but it's still not as smooth as Google Sheets. Sometimes you get 'versioning' errors or sync conflicts when multiple people are editing a workbook at once, which can lead to data being overwritten or lost if you aren't careful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It’s a simple, well-known product, so there are plenty of tutorials and help available online. I can use the same tool for everything from straightforward tasks to very complex ones. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The built-in help could be better. Some useful features and small tweaks feel a bit hidden, so users often have to discover them on their own in order to speed up their workflow. Navigation between sheets could also be improved to make moving around more straightforward. Integration with the native Copilot AI could be better as well. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.