Microsoft Excel

By Microsoft

4.7/5(3,182)
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 (3,182)

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Microsoft Excel Reviews (3,182)

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4.7
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Kunal  S.
KS
Kunal S.
Product Operations Associate
Computer Software
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Reliable Tool for Data Analysis and Reporting"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel helps me organize operational data, track daily activities, and prepare reports with very little manual effort. I regularly use formulas, PivotTables, filters, and conditional formatting to analyze data and identify trends quickly. It is reliable even when working with large datasets, and the charts make it easy to present updates to stakeholders. The familiar interface also makes collaboration with teammates simple and efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel can become slow when working with very large workbooks that contain many formulas, PivotTables, or linked sheets. Managing multiple versions of the same file across a team can also be confusing without proper version control. Some advanced functions and Power Query features have a learning curve for new users, but these are manageable with regular use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Parichay D.
PD
Parichay D.
Analyst
Financial Services
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.
"Fast, Reliable Excel for Big Data Cleaning and Automation and user prespective review"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

For a data analyst, an accounts person, or anyone doing any kind of maths on a dataset, I recommend this software. We use it every time for repetitive work and for easy handling of big data, especially when a dataset requires cleaning or when manual time is needed for optimising.

I’ve been using this software for about 5 years now, and one of my office friends has been using it for around 20 years. The UI and UX are clean and well organised, with easy navigation and a clear bars/ribbon menu. It also has quickly accessible option boxes for commonly used tools, customizable toolbars, and much more, including helpful shortcut keys.

For performance, I’d say it’s fast, reliable, and stable. Large datasets are handled well, with smooth performance even on big data. Calculations are quick even when using complex formulas, and overall it feels efficient for day-to-day work.

For integrations, it supports Microsoft 365 integration, OneDrive sync, Teams collaboration, Power BI compatibility, and Outlook support.

Although Microsoft Excel is part of a paid subscription, the productivity gains make it worthwhile. The automation features, templates, and advanced functions save hours of manual work every week.

Getting started with Excel is straightforward, and there are plenty of online tutorials, templates, and community resources. Advanced features may take time to master, but learning resources are widely available.

Excel's AI-powered features, including Copilot and data analysis suggestions, help automate repetitive tasks and generate insights quickly. These tools improve efficiency, especially when working with large datasets. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

One thing I dislike about Excel is that some of its more advanced features come with a steep learning curve. When I’m working with very large spreadsheets, performance can occasionally slow down, and troubleshooting complex formulas can be time-consuming. Although Microsoft 365 collaboration generally works well, version conflicts can still happen in shared files. The subscription cost can also be a downside for users who only need basic spreadsheet features. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Abhishek S.
AS
Abhishek S.
Executive-Business Development ( Export)
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Flexible, Easy-to-Use Excel That Boosts Productivity Every Day"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

What I like best about Microsoft Excel is its user-friendly interface and the wide range of features it offers. The UI is clean and easy to navigate, making it simple to create reports, analyze data, and manage large datasets. I regularly use formulas, PivotTables, filters, charts, and conditional formatting to track sales, customer information, and business performance.

Excel integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, and Power BI, making collaboration and file sharing very efficient. Even when working with large spreadsheets, the performance is reliable and responsive. Considering the productivity gains and time it saves, Excel provides excellent value for money. Microsoft also offers helpful tutorials and documentation, making it easy to learn new features. Additionally, AI-powered tools like Analyze Data and formula suggestions help identify trends, generate insights, and automate tasks, making my work faster and more accurate. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Although Microsoft Excel has significantly improved my workflow, there are still a few areas where it could be stronger. When I’m working with very large files that include multiple PivotTables and complex formulas, performance can sometimes slow down. The interface feels user-friendly for everyday tasks, but more advanced tools such as Power Query and VBA have a steeper learning curve than I expected. The AI features are helpful, yet they could offer deeper insights when dealing with complex business datasets. Microsoft provides solid documentation and learning resources, but more interactive onboarding for these advanced features would help users become productive more quickly. Overall, these feel like relatively minor drawbacks compared with the value Excel delivers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Jai C.
JC
Jai C.
Software engineer
Information Technology and Services
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excel’s Power Features Make Data Cleaning and Quick Analysis a Breeze"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

As a Data Analyst, Excel is one of the tools I use every day for cleaning data, validating reports, and performing quick analysis before building dashboards. Features like PivotTables, XLOOKUP, Power Query, conditional formatting, and formulas save a lot of time. I also like how easily I can export data from different systems and collaborate with teammates using a format everyone understands. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Excel can become slow when working with very large datasets or complex workbooks containing multiple formulas. Version control is also challenging when several people edit different copies of the same file. While Power Query helps, some advanced automation still has a learning curve. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

alka m.
AM
alka m.
Sales And Marketing Specialist
Insurance
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Reliable for Data Validation and Spreadsheet Accuracy"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel stands out because it allows me to clean and verify large datasets with a level of control that is difficult to find in simpler spreadsheet applications. A regular part of my work involves importing data, comparing records from different worksheets, checking for inconsistencies and making sure the information is accurate before it is used elsewhere. Excel provides the built in tools needed to complete these tasks without relying on additional software. The functions I use most often are XLOOKUP, FILTER and text functions together with conditional formatting, sorting and filtering. They make it much easier to identify duplicate records, locate missing values, standardize imported data and correct formatting issues before the information is shared or analyzed. Excel Tables are equally useful because they keep growing datasets organized without requiring constant manual adjustments.

What keeps me coming back to Excel is the amount of control it provides throughout the entire validation process. Whether I am reconciling records, checking imported files or verifying calculations I can review every step before the data moves forward. That level of visibility makes Excel a dependable application whenever data quality is a priority. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Most of the difficulties I experience with Excel appear only after a workbook has been in use for months or years. As different people continue updating the same file, formulas become more layered, worksheets are added and references start pointing across multiple tabs. Eventually understanding how a particular value was produced can take longer than creating a new calculation. There is also very little guidance when trying to untangle an unfamiliar workbook. Hidden ranges named references and formulas that depend on several other calculations require a fair amount of manual investigation before changes can be made confidently. That becomes even more noticeable when the original author is no longer available to explain the workbook structure.

I would welcome stronger workbook auditing features that visually expose formula relationships, identify unnecessary calculations and make it easier to understand how different sections of a spreadsheet are connected. That would simplify maintaining complex files over the long term. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

MD QUADIR ALI 2.
M2
MD QUADIR ALI 2.
Research Fellow
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excel: A Powerful Tool for Data Management and Analysis"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

One thing I've really liked recently is how Excel keeps adding features that make everyday work easier. The real-time collaboration is helpful when multiple people are working on the same file, and AutoSave has saved me from losing work more than once. I also use PivotTables, conditional formatting, and XLOOKUP quite often because they make analyzing large amounts of data much faster. Charts and dashboards are easy to create and help present information clearly. I also like that Excel integrates well with other Microsoft 365 apps, so it's easy to share files and work across devices. Even after using it for years, I still come across useful features that make my work more efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Excel is a great tool overall, but I think it could improve its performance when working with very large files, as they can sometimes become slow or unresponsive. I’d also like to see easier collaboration features with fewer version conflicts, a more intuitive way to troubleshoot complex formulas, and more AI-powered assistance for cleaning and analyzing data. These improvements would make it even more user-friendly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Vishaka C.
VC
Vishaka C.
Full Stack Developer
Computer Software
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Microsoft Excel Simplifies Workplace Data Analysis and Reporting"
4/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel makes it easy to organize, analyze, and report business data in one place. I regularly use Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP formulas, charts, and filtering tools to create operational reports and track KPIs. It saves time when working with large datasets and makes sharing insights with team members very convenient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Working with very large datasets and advanced formulas can be challenging for beginners. It takes some time to learn Excel's more powerful features, but once mastered, they significantly improve productivity. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

rishabh m.
RM
rishabh m.
Senior Project Manager
Information Technology and Services
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"A Powerful Tool for Data Analysis and Reporting"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

What I like best about Microsoft Excel is its flexibility and the wide range of tasks it can support across different business functions. We use it regularly for reporting, data analysis, budgeting, forecasting, tracking operational metrics, and organizing large volumes of information. The combination of formulas, pivot tables, charts, conditional formatting and data validation tools makes it easy to transform raw data into meaningful insights. Excel also integrates well with other Microsoft products, which helps streamline workflows across teams. Whether we are working with exported reports, financial data or performance tracking sheets. Excel provides a familiar environment that most users can adopt quickly without extensive training.

One of the biggest benefits has been the time saved when preparing reports and analyzing business data. Features such as pivot tables, filters and automated calculations reduce manual effort while improving accuracy and consistency. Over time Excel has become an essential tool for decision making, planning and day to day business operations because it offers both simplicity for routine tasks and powerful functionality for more advanced analysis. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

One challenge with Microsoft Excel is that as workbooks become larger and more complex, performance can sometimes slow down especially when multiple formulas, pivot tables and large datasets are involved. While Excel offers a wide range of powerful features, some advanced functionality can have a steep learning curve for users who are not experienced with data analysis or spreadsheet management. Collaboration has improved significantly over the years but managing multiple contributors in large spreadsheets can still occasionally create version control and formatting inconsistencies. We have also found that maintaining complex spreadsheets over long periods requires careful documentation as formulas and linked data can become difficult to track when several people are working on the same file. Overall Excel remains an extremely capable tool but there is still room to improve performance when working with large datasets and to make advanced features more accessible to less experienced users. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Haripriya R.
HR
Haripriya R.
Analyst
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Excel’s Pivot Tables, Formulas, and Microsoft 365 Collaboration Shine"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

I use Microsoft excel on a regular basis and find it's pivot tables and versatile formulas easier and the best feature. In addition, excel's simpler interface is widely used by lots of people due to ease of use, and charts and conditional formatting make data visualization task much easier. I also further like the collaboration with Microsoft 365 integration. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

The biggest downside would be it's performance crashing or slowing doen, due to larger volumes of dataset. The learning curve of VBA/Macros could be difficult for early users, and there are collaboration limits such as real-time edit can be clunky compared to modern cloud tools. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

KP
Kranth P.
Trainee
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Powerful Excel Features and an Intuitive UI That Make Data Analysis Easy"
5/5
What do you like best about Microsoft Excel?

Excel has got some powerful functions, formulas and data modelling capabilities that makes large datasets to be easily analyzed, talking about the User Interface, excel provides an easy to understand and intuitive interface which is easy to understand for beginners and experienced people. It is a robust software which has got high performance as it can easily process large datasets effectively and processes complex calculations with ease, since it comes along with microsoft 365 subscription there is no neccesity in purchasing it separately, and the important upgrade which got implemented recently was the integration with Artificial Intelligence like the Copilot which provides user the required assistance and making tasks much more easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Microsoft Excel?

Sometimes i face issues while processing data files which contain huge number of rows as the platform at times becomes slow and unresponsive, the same case happens during cases like processing complex formulas and working on multiple sheets at the same time. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

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Microsoft Excel
4.7/5(3,182)