Excel Desktop vs Excel Online - online version should have all/most of the same features
There are several functions that don't work the same in the online version vs desktop. Below are a few that are particularly frustrating to me so far:
~ Paste/Formatting - When pasting into the online version, the format doesn't stay.
~ Sorting - There are very limited sorting options in the online version.
~ Copying data. I have about 300 lines of data that's about 10 columns wide and am unable to copy it so that I can paste it into another document and sort it the way I need (since online version has limited options for sorting, as mentioned above). I get the following error when I try to do so: "The data you've selected is too large. Try selecting a smaller set of data."

81 comments
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KerryCo commented
At the same time, Excel Desktop should have some of the features as Online...
IE, I edit LARGE excel documents regularly, so much so that the FILTER feature is BROKEN COMPLETELY, even with the monster of a PC I have for work, it still wont filter, takes 5min~ to bring up list, then just closes right away, too many different row items to display.
In Excel online, I can go to filter, text filters, exact with ZERO DELAY LAG FREEZING, aka, IT JUST WORKS...
Come on Microsoft...
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shan commented
Imploring you, MS, to stop viewing Excel Online and Excel desktop as the same product. They're absolutely not even close to the same. Unless you're business model is changing Excel's target audience to be hone users interested in making grocery lists and budget sheets.
Excel Online sucks for anyone using it for any reason other than the most basic of basic intent.
SharePoint Online, and by extension, your useless Excel Online (that isn't actually deserving of being called "Excel "), is an absolute nightmare.
Why the **** does collaborative editing STILL NOT EVER WORK when a user chooses to edit Excel in desktop??? When we first migrated to SharePoint and Excel Online, collaboration editing worked for a day in the desktop app. Only that day. In the 2 years since, editing in desktop causes the document to be locked. What the actual??? If I wanted to lock the document, I would check it out FFS.
Again, I implore you figure your sh*t out MS!!. Until then, shut down your "Excel" Online. There is not actual benefit to it. As, that too, locks the document for people that want to edit in desktop version. Or are forced to, since most documents that a business would use are not actually supported in Excel Online.
Figure it out!!!
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Anonymous commented
There is a bug in the syncing between excel in the app and Office 365, I often can not save due to non-existent edits caused by syncing problems
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Myk commented
Google sheet is the best...Microsoft sucks...it is too much business minded...very disappointing...
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Michael Hutchens commented
Most of these comments are just scratching the surface. If you ask the Excel team they'll tell you that the online version is light years away from the desktop version, purely because building browser-based apps is a nightmare compared to having the control of a desktop app. In many regards, I'm amazed how well Microsoft has done, even though I agree that ideally Excel Desktop and Excel Online should be identical.
My biggest issues with Excel Online is that some common workbook features - like comments, shapes and controls - cause the workbook to open in read-only mode in Excel Online. These features have effectively rendered Excel Online useless to most of our clients, which is why we recommend not using it.
We could theoretically build all our models avoiding these features, but it really should not be an issue in the first place.
So, in summary, I vote passionately in favour of this improvement suggestion.
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Anonymous commented
Excel Online = Epic Fail. Put it out of its misery, so it creates less misery for users.
All it's doing is cheapening the Excel brand, and giving Excel critics an easy opening.
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Priya commented
Many users wants to Edit an Excel file with feature which are not supported in Browser. would be great it it supports over browser too!
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Anonymous commented
Functionality of excel on line is really terrible. How on earth is it possible that it's released?? Sorting, pivot tables, speed ..... I Always have to open excel in the desktop to work properly. Very bad product/service
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Deb commented
With everyone saying the same thing, you'd think maybe they would let us know if there will ever be an update to the online version so it's the same as the desktop version. What alternatives are out there?
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nalia commented
I hate the fact that these simple applications such as the changing the New Cell Style is only available to the desktop computer. I am trying to get my assignment done and yet I cant because of no options such as these it makes no sense to me its ridiculous. Some how I have to find some other alternatives to complete my assignment I hate how you people limit the use of your application online
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Mason McClure commented
Online needs all the features that the desktop provides very limited for Excel Online
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Anonymous commented
I have used the MS gantt template. On desktop, looks great but online some formatting has disappeared so
I now have ‘blank’ bars and it looks awful. Why????????? -
forline commented
it is good for people that use excel for grocery lists
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Anonymous commented
Yes it is terrible. I am very angry with myself that I bought a chromebook instead of a laptop with a microsoft OS since I can barely do anything on it properly.
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shan commented
@kt: Right??!!! Can't even change the tab name FFS! Uggghhhhhh I hate SharePoint Online. I hate Word Online. I REALLY REALLY REALLY HATE Excel Online. I hate that uppn clicking on a link to the doc, any Online version of an application opens in Edit Mode if you have edit access. This then "saves" your NON-EXISTANT changes.
Which screws with your historical governance from an audit perspective.
And since all features that are actually useful are not available in Excel Online, one is forced to open in the app. But doing so to edit, locks the document every single time. So the Collaboration Editing "feature" is not actually available.
Honestly. I hate MS. If and when I run a business, I vow to never ever ever use MS product suite.
Ugh.
Thanks for allowing me to vent peeps. Lol
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kt commented
I agree, i cant even change my page orientation, scale, or set up print preview on the workbook screen!!!!
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shan commented
@Same and @Tim Sullivan: Exactly!! So much! I know you have different comments but I whole heartedly agree with both of you.
Also, it truly is mind boggling that MS thinks their Excel Online is a viable product. Do people actually use Excel as a home product all that often?? When there are now free programs that can do the same as one would use Excel for, for personal use? I doubt it.
MS: your Excel clients and users are people in business. Excel Online literally excludes all of the most useful functionality that a person using it for business needs. It is embarrassing. Make Excel Online the same as the desktop version or stop focusing on it until you can. It literally hurts my soul. And my brain. And my overall health. In fact your whole "Online" suite is likely to make me have to go on stress leave. Seriously. SharePoint Online, Excel Online, Word Online, every one just introduced a new horror to contend with. Get your sh*t together MS
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Anonymous commented
i like so much tank you you are help me so muvh i don't have world to say this think you know
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Anonymous commented
open this file
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olu commented
hello how are you doing