How to Open Excel Files

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This wikiHow teaches you how to open an Excel file, and view the spreadsheet file's contents. You can use a desktop spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel, a web-based spreadsheet viewer like Google Sheets, or the mobile Excel app to open, view, and edit Excel spreadsheets on any computer, phone or tablet.

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Desktop App

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Find and right-click the Excel file you want to open. Find the spreadsheet file on your computer, and right-click on its name or icon to see your options on a drop-down menu.

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\n"> Hover over Open with on the right-click menu. A list of available apps will pop up on a sub-menu. Advertisement

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If you don't see the Excel app here, click Other or Choose another app to see all your apps.
If you don't have Excel installed, check out the available subscription plans and get a free trial at https://www.microsoft.com/en/microsoft-365/excel?market=af.
As an alternative, you can download and use a free, open-source office suite like Apache OpenOffice (https://www.openoffice.org) or LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org).

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Using Excel Online

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If you're prompted, sign in with your Microsoft ID or Outlook account.
You can use Excel online in any desktop or mobile internet browser.

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Click the Upload a Workbook button on the top-right. This button looks like a blue, upwards arrow icon in the upper-right corner of the page. It will open your file navigator, and allow you to select a file from your computer.

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Select the Excel file you want to open. Find your spreadsheet file in the file navigator window, and click on its name or icon to select it.

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You can view and edit your file in your internet browser.

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Using Google Sheets

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Alternatively, go to https://sheets.google.com. It will open the same page.
If you're not automatically signed in, log in with your Google account.
You can use Google Sheets in any desktop or mobile internet browser.

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Click the folder icon on the top-right. You can find this button in the upper-right corner of your spreadsheet list, next to the AZ button. It will open the "Open a file" window in a pop-up.

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Alternatively, you can click the My Drive tab, and open a file from your Google Drive library.

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This will upload your Excel file to Google Sheets, and open it in your internet browser.
Alternatively, click the blue Select a file from your device button, and select your file manually.

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Using the Mobile App

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On the iTunes App Store for iPhone/iPad at https://itunes.apple.com/tr/app/microsoft-excel/id586683407
On the Google Play Store for Android at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.excel

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Alternatively, enter your registered email, phone or Skype ID, and tap the green-and-white arrow to sign in to your account.

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On iPhone, it's in the lower-right corner of your screen.
On Android, it's in the upper-left corner of your screen.

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If you're opening a file saved to your phone or tablet's local storage, select This Device or On My iPhone/iPad here.

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\n"> Select the spreadsheet file you want to open. Tapping a file will open it in the Excel mobile app. Advertisement

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