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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Is it worth paying for

Microsoft Excel

60
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

Microsoft Excel is a powerful and essential tool for many, but its mobile app versions are significantly limited in functionality and plagued by bugs, making the paid subscription questionable for mobile-only users.

Free to download seen up to $129.99 4.8★ lifetime (1,422,735) since 2014

While the desktop version of Excel is highly praised and indispensable for many users, the mobile app often falls short, lacking key features, experiencing frequent crashes, and presenting persistent login issues. The free version offers basic viewing, but editing and advanced features often require a subscription, which many users find frustrating given the app's limitations.

Free vs paid

The free version of Excel allows users to view data, but editing capabilities are often restricted, especially on larger iPad screens, pushing users towards a paid subscription R68R611. Many users report being unable to edit or access premium features without paying, even after having purchased lifetime access or a subscription R68R32R167R342.

Value complaints

  • Users are forced into recurring subscriptions even after purchasing lifetime access or for basic editing functionality, especially on larger iPad screens.R32R167R611R68
  • The app's limited functionality and frequent bugs do not justify the cost of a subscription.R7R21R56R68
  • Some users report paying for a subscription but still being unable to access premium features due to errors.R342

Where it delivers

  • Many users find Excel to be an invaluable, powerful, and essential tool for organizing finances, projects, and daily tasks.R9R23R31R83
  • The app is considered useful for data analysis and managing day-to-day tasks, suitable for various experience levels.R65R108R111
  • Copilot integration is seen as a game-changer, cutting down research time for even seasoned users.R47R97
Worth paying if

It is worth paying if you are a heavy Excel user who depends on it daily for business and personal tasks and primarily uses the desktop version, leveraging the mobile app only for basic viewing or minor edits when absolutely necessary R9R23R31. It may also be worth paying if you find the limited mobile functionality sufficient for your specific on-the-go data monitoring and entry needs, and are willing to tolerate the app's bugs R65.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying for Excel if you primarily intend to use the mobile app on an iPad or iPhone for extensive editing or complex tasks, as it lacks many desktop features and is prone to freezing, data loss, and login issues R7R21R38. Users seeking a seamless experience across devices or those frustrated by subscription models for basic functionality should also consider alternatives like Google Sheets R32.

Evidence note: The reviews strongly indicate a significant disparity between the perceived value and functionality of the desktop Excel experience and its mobile app counterparts. Many positive reviews praise Excel in general, often implying the desktop version, while negative reviews overwhelmingly focus on the mobile app's shortcomings.

Frequently asked

Is Microsoft Excel free to use on mobile devices?
Microsoft Excel is free to download, but editing functionality, especially on iPads with larger screens, often requires a paid subscription R68R611. Some users report being unable to edit or access features they previously could without a subscription R611.
Does the Excel mobile app have the same features as the desktop version?
No, the Excel mobile app is missing many simple and basic features found in the desktop version, such as VBA macros, specific keyboard shortcuts, and advanced file options, making it feel intentionally limited and clunky R7R56R68R80.
Are there common issues with the Excel mobile app?
Yes, common issues include frequent freezing and crashing, data loss, inability to save changes, persistent login problems, and difficulties with printing or exporting files R18R21R38R50.
How do recent updates affect the Excel mobile app?
Recent updates have reportedly introduced new bugs, such as freezing, broken cell editing, disappearing toolbars, and issues with copy/paste functionality R289R359R380R68. Some users also report that updates have disabled printing or exporting files .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R32] 1/5 · US Knock off the subscriptions: i purchased lifetime access and now am told I need a recurring subscription just to look at products that I created years ago. Get over the subscription threats, OpenOffice does the same thing. For free.
  2. [R167] 3/5 · US Subscription sucks: I bought many times over the last 30+years Now yearly fee. Do not like.
  3. [R611] 3/5 · CA Edit Restrictions Nuisance: Being unable to edit word or excel documents due to increase iPad screen size when you own the full suite of MS software is ridiculous. I was able to edit on my iPad pro before but once I updated with a new iPad Air with a slightly larger screen size, this feature is no longer avaiable. MS is saying i need to now also purchase 360 to edit on this iPad. That’s ridiculou
  4. [R68] 3/5 · US Typical Microsoft: Does not support vba macros Does not support editing without paying Wow i can see my data but….. Sometimes the bottom and top toolbars disappears when you scroll down and you have to hit fx to get it back or scroll up. This is not always convenient. This is cumbersome and can lead to errors
  5. [R7] 3/5 · US Almost the Excel I know for my PC: Microsoft deliberately makes using this software on an iPad more difficult and less efficient. Some basic, non complicated features, like holding control to select multiple cells, are not available. Lots of things like that which are just strange not to allow and really destroy efficiency. Overall I can still get the job done, it just feels intentionally limit
  6. [R21] 2/5 · US Disappointing… data loss, crashes: The iOS version is fine, the iPadOS version is unstable. Crashes a lot and losses data entered. Charts sometimes don’t display. Print chart crashes the app and loses changes. Couldn’t be less happy with Excel on the iPad
  7. [R56] 2/5 · US Comes up Short on Key Excel Features: Key features missing that drive poor productivity - Would not recommend unless you are desperate and it’s free too. Simple key features are missing from the iOS version of Microsoft Excel… >> Poor graph features >> “Advanced File” option(s) missing >> User interfaces are weak compared to Windows Desk / Lap top versions >> Etc…Etc…Etc
  8. [R342] 3/5 · GB Paid for but can’t access premium features: I started a subscription but it just says “something went wrong “ and can’t access features.
  9. [R9] 5/5 · US Life: I use excel almost daily . I depend on it.
  10. [R23] 5/5 · US Love it: I’m being using M. Excel all my life and still learning an appreciating how my work life is easier because of it.
  11. [R31] 5/5 · US Awesome Program: Excel is the best computer program I’ve ever worked with. I learned to do spreadsheets which I create to use for each and every task I need done. For example, my shopping lists, recipes, checklists, charts, and anything else I can come up with. I haven’t learned to do graphs yet but am excited to do so. I recommend this program to everyone to use for all their projects.
  12. [R83] 5/5 · US MUST HAVE!!!: This app literally saved my finances and a whole lot of time. Thanks, Microsoft!!!
  13. [R65] 5/5 · US Data Analysis: Love it,…easy to use yet powerful to manage data for day to day easy and fast tasks, suitable for all levels of experience and knowledge.
  14. [R108] 5/5 · US Muy útil: Me ayuda cada dia a ver mi presión y hacer un historial útil para mi y mi médico. Gracias
  15. [R111] 5/5 · US Me ayuda: Me ayuda a organizar todos mis proyectos y es fácil de utilizar
  16. [R47] 5/5 · US Copilot works!: Look. I have been using Microsoft tools since the beginning (1980). I even worked with competing products (DRI Dos). I was an employee at one of Microsoft’s “Paperless Office” customers. Pairing Copilot with the entire suite of products has been a game changer. Microsoft Excel has a lot of functionality that even the most seasoned power user can always deploy without a little
  17. [R97] 5/5 · US With co-pilot: Works excellently with co-pilot
  18. [R80] 3/5 · US App is missing a lot of functionality: App for Excel is missing many simple features that are in the desktop version.
  19. [R18] 2/5 · US Freezes: It freezes to the point of having to close out of the application. Not ideal usage for iPad.
  20. [R38] 1/5 · US Will it save my data or not? Very risky…: I no longer use Excel on my iPad as a reliable tool. It’s very different from the desktop versions. On many occasions, too many two count but more than 20 times, Excel on my iPad will not save worksheets, has lost data, despite my saving the document multiple times. I have worked on documents, saved the document five, six, sometimes 10 times. only to have
  21. [R50] 1/5 · US Does not save changes: App is garbage, if you do any work on from your phone it will not save for you to pull up on your computer.
  22. [R289] 3/5 · GB Cell editing is broken: V2.107.3 cell editing is broken Spacebar does sometimes work, although does tend to select words rather than move the cursor. Can select a word within a cell via double tap, but cannot move character by character.
  23. [R359] 3/5 · GB Freezing: Since the last update the whole app has been freezing as soon as you open a document, just not doing anything or letting you press anything anywhere. Really frustrating. Literally tried everything, closing down the app, turning my phone off and on, nothing helps.
  24. [R380] 3/5 · GB Update has messed up functionality: I have downloaded the latest iPhone Microsoft Exel update and it has lost the cell copy, paste, clear, insert pop-up menu! Not helpful Microsoft!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store