How to Download Excel on Mac?

Hey, everyone! It’s Mehmet Akar, and today, I’m here to help you download and install Microsoft Excel on your Mac. While many think Excel is only for Windows, that’s far from the truth! In fact, you can easily run Excel on your Mac without any issues. Whether you’re managing spreadsheets for work, budgeting at home, or keeping track of personal projects, Excel is a powerful tool — and I’ll guide you through getting it on your Mac. Let’s get started!

1. Why Use Microsoft Excel on a Mac?

Excel is one of the most versatile and widely-used spreadsheet tools available. Even though Apple offers **Numbers**, Excel continues to be the go-to option for many users due to its rich features, compatibility, and familiarity.

Advantages of Excel on Mac:

• **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Work seamlessly between Mac and Windows users with the same files.
• **Advanced Features**: Excel offers powerful formulas, data visualization tools, and PivotTables that are essential for professional work.
• **Familiar Interface**: If you’ve used Excel on Windows before, the Mac version will feel similar, making it easy to get started.

2. How to Download Excel on Mac

Downloading Excel on your Mac is pretty straightforward, but you have two main options: using a Microsoft 365 subscription or purchasing a one-time license for Microsoft Office. Here’s how to do both.

Option 1: Download Excel via Microsoft 365 Subscription

If you prefer to always have the latest version of Excel and access to other Microsoft apps like Word and PowerPoint, a Microsoft 365 subscription is your best bet.

Steps to Download Excel via Microsoft 365:

1. Go to the Microsoft 365 website on your Mac.
2. Click on the **Buy Now** button under Microsoft 365. You can choose between the **Family** or **Personal** plan, depending on your needs.
3. Once purchased, log in to your Microsoft account and go to your **Microsoft 365 dashboard**.
4. Click **Install Office**, then select **Office 365 Apps**.
5. A .pkg installer file will begin downloading. Once it’s done, open the file to start the installation process.
6. Follow the prompts to install the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, on your Mac.

Why Choose Microsoft 365?

• Always has the latest versions of Excel and other Office apps.
• Includes cloud storage via OneDrive, perfect for syncing your files across devices.

Option 2: Download Excel with a One-Time Purchase (Office 2021)

If you’d rather pay once and own Excel forever without the recurring subscription, purchasing Office 2021 is a great option. You’ll get a full version of Excel along with the other Office apps.

Steps to Download Excel with a One-Time Purchase:

1. Visit the Microsoft Office website and navigate to **Office Home & Student 2021**.
2. Click on the **Buy Now** button to purchase Office 2021. This gives you a perpetual license for Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
3. Once purchased, you’ll get a link to download the Office installation package.
4. After the download completes, open the **.pkg file** and follow the on-screen instructions to install Excel and the other apps on your Mac.
5. Activate Excel using the product key provided in your purchase confirmation email.

Why Choose a One-Time Purchase?

• Ideal for users who only need the core Office apps and don’t want to deal with subscriptions.
• One-time cost for permanent access to the software.

3. How to Install Excel from the Mac App Store

Yes, you can also get Excel directly from the **Mac App Store**! This method is super convenient if you want to avoid downloading from the web or prefer using Apple’s built-in App Store for installations.

Steps to Download Excel from the Mac App Store:

1. Open the **App Store** on your Mac.
2. Search for **Microsoft Excel** in the search bar.
3. Click the **Download** or **Get** button next to the Excel app.
4. Once downloaded, Excel will be available in your **Applications** folder and ready to use!

Pros of Downloading from the Mac App Store:

• Easy to download and update directly from Apple’s App Store.
• Offers a subscription option through the App Store if you don’t already have a Microsoft 365 account.

4. Setting Up Excel for the First Time

After downloading and installing Excel, there are a few steps to set it up for optimal use on your Mac.

Activate Excel

Once you open Excel for the first time, you’ll be prompted to **sign in** with your Microsoft account or enter the product key (if you chose the one-time purchase option). This activation process ensures you have full access to Excel’s features.

Set Up AutoSave and OneDrive

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, I highly recommend setting up **AutoSave** and linking Excel to your **OneDrive** account. This ensures your work is always backed up and accessible from any device.

5. Keeping Excel Updated on Mac

Microsoft frequently releases updates for Excel to fix bugs, add new features, and improve security. Here’s how to make sure you’re always running the latest version.

Steps to Update Excel:

1. Open **Excel** on your Mac.
2. Click on the **Help** tab in the top menu.
3. Select **Check for Updates**. This will launch Microsoft AutoUpdate, which will check if there’s a new version of Excel available.
4. If there’s an update, click **Update** to install it.

How to Install Excel on Mac? Last Words

That’s it! Downloading and installing Microsoft Excel on a Mac is straightforward, whether you choose a Microsoft 365 subscription, a one-time purchase, or the App Store route. No matter which method you choose, you’ll have access to the full power of Excel right on your Mac. I hope this guide made the process easy for you, and if you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to reach out. This is Mehmet Akar, and I’ll be back with more guides soon!