0.2Install, license & Excel free online
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Three forms: desktop (Microsoft 365, the most complete), web (free) and mobile — same concepts everywhere.
- Excel for the web is more than enough to learn: data entry, formulas, formatting, charts and pivot tables up to the intermediate level.
- Desktop becomes required for advanced Power Query, Power Pivot and macros; standard .xlsx format everywhere.
Running mini-case — Wassim sets up for free in Algiers
Wassim, an accountant in Algiers, wants to follow this guide without paying for a license: instead of buying Office outright, he follows the ritual. He creates a Microsoft account, opens Excel for the web, creates a blank workbook, enters a few amounts with a formula =SUM(B2:B3) and checks that the file saves by itself to OneDrive. His learning ground is ready, in .xlsx format exchangeable with desktop. He notes the milestone: he will move to desktop Excel (Microsoft 365) when he tackles advanced Power Query or macros.
Standalone case for this section: it returns in the course, the diagram, the script and the 48h challenge of section 0.2.
1. Three ways to use Excel
Excel exists in three forms: the desktop app (the most complete, via a Microsoft 365 subscription or a perpetual purchase), Excel for the web (free with a Microsoft account, in the browser), and the mobile app. All three share the same concepts; some advanced features (full Power Query, VBA) are desktop-only. Wassim chooses by need, not by price.
2. Learn without paying anything
To start, Excel for the web is more than enough: data entry, formulas, formatting, charts, pivot tables. It is the ideal free path to follow this guide up to the intermediate level. You move to desktop when tackling advanced Power Query, Power Pivot or macros. Wassim learns for free today and will pay only if the advanced need arises.
3. License: subscription or purchase
Microsoft 365 (monthly/yearly subscription) gives the latest version, updates and OneDrive storage; one-time Office (single purchase) freezes the version with no evolutions. In business, subscription dominates; for light personal use, free web is often enough. Wassim keeps the .xlsx format, readable everywhere.
🔎 Concrete example — 🔎 Concrete example — Choosing your version to learn
Wassim chooses by goal, not by price:
Start, budget, formulas, pivots → Excel web (free)
Advanced Power Query, Power Pivot, macros → Excel desktop (365)
View/edit on the move → Excel mobileReading: no need to pay to start — the browser is enough.
Lesson: you pick the version by need, not the most expensive by default.
Section vocabulary
- Microsoft 365
- The subscription giving up-to-date desktop Excel, OneDrive and the other apps.
Simple example: Wassim will move to it for advanced Power Query and macros.
What it is not: the free web version in the browser.
Reflex: up-to-date desktop + cloud → 365.
- Excel for the web
- The free version in the browser, with a Microsoft account.
Simple example: Wassim creates his first workbook there without paying anything.
What it is not: the full desktop app.
Reflex: learn → free web first.
- Perpetual purchase
- An Office version bought once, frozen with no major evolutions.
Simple example: Wassim rules it out: he wants either free or up-to-date desktop.
What it is not: the subscription with continuous updates.
Reflex: frozen version = no evolutions.
- OneDrive
- Microsoft's cloud storage; opens and saves workbooks online.
Simple example: Wassim finds his automatically saved workbook there.
What it is not: the local hard drive alone.
Reflex: web + OneDrive = automatic saving.
- .xlsx compatibility
- The standard format readable by all recent Excel versions.
Simple example: Wassim swaps his .xlsx between web and desktop without loss.
What it is not: the old .xls that loses features.
Reflex: always save as .xlsx.
In practice — In practice — Open Excel for free
- Go to Microsoft's Excel site and sign in with a Microsoft account (or create one), like Wassim.
- Create a new blank workbook in Excel for the web.
- Enter a few numbers and a formula =SUM(B2:B3).
- Check that the file saves by itself to OneDrive.
Step-by-step script — set up like Wassim (10 min)
1) Create a Microsoft account (or sign in), then open Excel for the web. 2) Create a blank workbook and rename it (e.g. Budget-Wassim.xlsx). 3) Enter two amounts in B2 and B3, then =SUM(B2:B3) in B4: check the total. 4) Check in OneDrive that the workbook is saved automatically. 5) Note the desktop milestone: move to Microsoft 365 only for advanced Power Query, Power Pivot or macros.
If the web does not offer an advanced feature, that is normal: it is the signal to move to desktop.
Copy-paste template — my Excel access checklist
[ ] Microsoft account created / signed in
[ ] Blank workbook created on the web (e.g. Budget-Wassim.xlsx)
[ ] =SUM(B2:B3) test OK in B4
[ ] OneDrive AutoSave checked
[ ] .xlsx format kept
Desktop milestone: advanced Power Query / Power Pivot / macros → Microsoft 365.Start with no budget
Wassim learns on free Excel web: formulas, formatting and pivot tables up to intermediate.
Move to desktop
Wassim tackles advanced Power Query: he moves to desktop Excel via Microsoft 365.
On the move
Wassim checks his budget on mobile, then resumes serious editing on web or desktop.
Swap without breaking
Wassim shares his .xlsx: the file opens identically on the web and on desktop.
✓ Best practices
- To learn: free Excel web.
- Keep the .xlsx format (compatible everywhere).
- Move to desktop for advanced Power Query and macros.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Believing Excel is necessarily paid.
- Using an old format (.xls) that loses features.
- Paying a full license for beginner use.
Key takeaways
- Three forms: desktop (365), web (free), mobile.
- Free web is enough for beginner and intermediate.
- Advanced Power Query, Power Pivot and macros = desktop.
- Standard format: .xlsx.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
Open Excel for the web like Wassim: create a workbook, enter two amounts plus a =SUM(B2:B3), and prove that OneDrive saving is automatic.
- I can open Excel for free on the web with a Microsoft account.
- I can name the three forms and when to move to desktop.
- My test workbook (.xlsx) calculates and saves by itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does Excel for the web do everything?
It covers the vast majority of needs (formulas, formatting, charts, pivot tables). It mainly lacks macros, Power Query in full depth and a few expert functions — hence the later move to desktop.
Can I swap files between web and desktop?
Yes: it is the same .xlsx format. A workbook created on the web opens on desktop and vice versa, via OneDrive or a simple download.
How can you use Excel for free to learn?