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    Essential Skills
    Beginner
    4 min read 6 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    Using Microsoft Excel on Your Phone or Tablet for Free

    Microsoft Excel is available as a free app on iPhone and Android. Learn how to view, edit, and create spreadsheets on your mobile device.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Essential Skills
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    excel
    microsoft
    spreadsheet
    mobile
    iphone
    android
    office

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Download the Excel App
    2. 2.Sign In with a Free Microsoft Account
    3. 3.Open an Existing Spreadsheet
    4. 4.Create a New Spreadsheet
    5. 5.Enter and Edit Data
    6. 6.Save and Share
    1

    Download the Excel App

    ~15s
    Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for Microsoft Excel. Install the app — it is free. The app icon is green with an X on it.
    2

    Sign In with a Free Microsoft Account

    ~24s
    Open the Excel app and tap Sign In. Enter your Microsoft account email and password. If you do not have one, tap Create Account and follow the steps — you can use any email address to create a free account. You do not need to buy anything.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If you already have an Outlook.com, Hotmail, or Xbox account, you already have a Microsoft account and can use those same login details.

    3

    Open an Existing Spreadsheet

    ~17s
    If someone emailed you an Excel file, open the email and tap the attachment. Your phone should offer to open it in the Excel app. You can then view and edit the spreadsheet. Alternatively, tap Open inside the Excel app and browse for files saved on your phone or in OneDrive.
    4

    Create a New Spreadsheet

    ~15s
    Tap the New or + button inside the Excel app. Choose Blank Workbook to start from scratch, or tap a template such as Budget, List, or Schedule. Templates give you a ready-made structure to fill in with your own information.
    5

    Enter and Edit Data

    ~28s
    Tap any cell (one of the boxes in the grid) to select it. Type your text or number using the keyboard that appears. Press Enter or the green check mark to confirm the entry and move to the next cell. To edit a cell's contents, tap it once to select it and then tap the content area near the top of the screen.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: To navigate the spreadsheet, swipe left/right and up/down with your finger. Pinch to zoom in for a closer look at small text.

    6

    Save and Share

    ~18s
    Tap the Save icon (a floppy disk symbol) or go to File > Save As. Save to OneDrive for automatic cloud backup, or choose your phone's local storage. To share the file, tap the Share icon (a box with an upward arrow) and choose to send it by email or through another app.

    You Did It!

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    Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely used tools for tracking numbers, making lists, and organizing information. The full desktop version requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, but the mobile app for iPhone and Android is free for personal use on screens smaller than 10.1 inches.

    With the free mobile version of Excel, you can open and view any Excel file (.xlsx) that someone sends you, make edits to existing spreadsheets, and create new spreadsheets from scratch. For most personal uses — tracking a household budget, keeping a list, making a simple table — the free mobile app has everything you need.

    The app also works with OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service. If you save your spreadsheets to OneDrive, you can open them on your phone, edit them, and have the changes automatically available on your computer as well.

    You do need a free Microsoft account to use the Excel mobile app with full editing features. Creating a Microsoft account is free and only takes a few minutes at account.microsoft.com.

    Excel on a phone can feel a little tight on a small screen because spreadsheets have many rows and columns. Many people find it easier on a tablet or iPad where there is more screen space. However, for viewing and making small edits, even a regular phone screen works well.

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    excel
    microsoft
    spreadsheet
    mobile
    iphone
    android
    office

    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

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    Using Microsoft Excel on Your Phone or Tablet for Free — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure