Of course, the Excel spreadsheet editor, included in any Microsoft office suite, is a powerful tool for performing simple mathematical calculations and for automating more complex tasks related to algebra, geometry, trigonometry, not to mention the possibility of complex use of tools, for example , for conducting accounting with reference to databases. Alas, almost all versions of Excel are paid (in fact, like the office suites themselves), and until recently, most users have increasingly thought about installing Excel analogues that you wouldn’t have to pay for and which would have the same (or even great) opportunities in comparison with the original. There are such programs! Further it is proposed to consider some of them in a small volume, since most of the functions and actions are exactly the same (however, like the menu and the interface).
Excel vs. ... Excel
First of all, it is worth saying that now there is no need to look for an Excel analogue even in principle.
This is due to the fact that the standard application can be installed completely free of charge from a special Microsoft repository on the technical support site. It presents almost all the components of the "Office" included in the main package, but you can not download and install the whole set, but only those programs that are really needed for everyday work.
In addition, just recently in the world media there was information that the developers of the Microsoft office suite took an unprecedented step, saying that the new Office 2019 starter kit will be absolutely free (unlike all previous modifications, versions of Pro and the cloud-based commercial Office service 365). Thus, the main question regarding the acquisition of the editor for free is no longer needed. But there are a considerable number of users among those who do not like Microsoft software products. What should they choose?
Free Excel equivalent in the OpenOffice.org suite
As you know, as one of the most successful and advanced alternatives to the "Microsoft" development, most experts call the GNU license-free packages included in the OpenOffice.org suite.
In addition to the fact that there is a perfect analogue of Excel in the form of the same Calc editor, enthusiasts can use open source code for the package itself to supplement or improve its programs. The only limitation of a spreadsheet application is that it does not support the execution of native macros created in the original Excel based on the Visual Basic language, but it can work with its own Basic tools, which are slightly different. Otherwise, the actions performed, the assignment of formulas, and the cross-support of related office components are almost equivalent.
Note: the exact same editor with the same name can be found in the LibreOffice collection.
An analog of "Excel" for "Windows" in the WPS Office package and other no different editors
As the name implies, we have yet another alternative office suite. Among its components, you can also find an analogue of "Excel", which in this case is called Spreadsheets.
This application uses the look of the original Excel 2013 release as the main interface and has nothing to do with the 2003 version. As for the tools and menus available for performing actions and operations, they do not differ at all from MS Excel.
If we look at other Excel programs that are similar to Microsoft’s office applet, we can separately mention good editors like Symphony Spredsheets from the Lotus package, PlanMaker from the SoftMaker Office suite, etc. Even at a first glance at the look of these tabular It’s very difficult for editors to catch the difference with the original Excel (except for the names of programs that appear in the window title).
Chrome browser cloud tools
As you know, one of the largest and most serious competitors of Microsoft - Google Corporation - is also not far behind and, if it is not creating something new in the field of office software products, then at least it is trying to introduce its own applications in all areas.
In this case, we are talking about the “Excel” analogue in the form of the Tables cloud application, which is available directly in the Chrome browser in the form of an extension installed initially. In a sense, this applet can be called a competitor to Excel from Office 365, because the work in it is built on the same principles of organizing access through the cloud. Only this product is completely free, and to use it you only need to have a Google account with registration in the Gmail mail service.
Built-in Android Tools
Since we are talking about Google products, the exact same Excel version for Android (the Tables application) can be found in all the latest modifications of the operating system itself in a pre-installed form. Only the applet itself is a stationary and not a cloud application, and you can work with it in the same way using all the standard functions and capabilities, as well as with the original without mandatory access to the Internet. A connection may be required only in order to save the document in the cloud (“Google Drive”) or synchronize files between different devices on which a Google account can be used.
Additional applets for mobile systems
Finally, one of the good alternatives to Excel for mobile devices is the OfficeSuite package, designed for Android systems.
The only drawback of the whole set is that it is constantly proposed to update the free version to the Pro version, having previously tried it without payment for seven days from the date of installation. If this reminder does not bother you, you can simply ignore it and use any component of the package (including the spreadsheet editor) for your needs for an unlimited period.