People are trying to simplify their lives as much as possible through computerization and the convenience of storing data in the memory of smartphones or computers. This is manifested, in particular, in the creation of spreadsheets. One of the most powerful tools for these purposes is Microsoft Excel. Many people often work on it and want to know how and how to open an XLSX file on an Android phone. This is not always possible due to the limited functionality of the mobile OS in this area. This material will tell you what kind of XLSM files these are, how to open similar formats on an Android device, and what to do if Excel does not open on an Android smartphone.
What are XLS, XLSX and XLSM formats
Many people don’t understand why Microsoft’s proprietary program needs so many extensions for storing spreadsheets. It's very simple, they are designed for different purposes. Thus, the XLSM format is the most popular for saving files in Excel. It appeared back in 2007 and is still very popular.
There are a lot of Excel table formats, but most can be opened on a gadget
A file with the *.XLS extension is essentially the same, but an older solution. This document is typical for Excel versions 2003 and earlier. It is slower and more limited in its data storage and presentation capabilities.
For your information! XLSM is a special format in Excel. It serves similar purposes, but documents with this extension can also store custom or predefined macros. The latter serve to automate the filling, saving and editing of spreadsheet documents.
Editor window in the computer version
If you have Windows
In addition to the most popular office suite MS Office, many other good programs for working with documents have been developed for the Windows OS.
For example, the Open Office utility is free for your PC, which can work with text files, spreadsheets and presentations.
Open Office
To get started, launch the program and on the start page select the type of document you want to create:
Fig. 1 – main window of the Open Office utility
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is another good open source spreadsheet program.
In addition to utilities for working with text, presentations and tables, LibreOffice has a built-in vector graphics editor, formula editor and DBMS (comprehensive database management system).
The program is distributed exclusively free of charge.
Fig. 2 – spreadsheet in LibreOffice
If you have Mac OS
Recently, on Mac OS you can download the official version of the MS Office package, however, this is not the most popular program among Apple OS users.
Apple Numbers
Apple Numbers is perhaps the best spreadsheet utility available for the Mac.
The application allows you to open files very quickly, without losing quality or data. Using Apple Numbers, you will not encounter the problem of graphs and table cells that have moved out of place.
Rice. 3 – appearance of the Apple Numbers program window
Planamesa NeoOffice
Planamesa NeoOffice is a set of software for working with text, presentations and tables. Supports all common office document formats, in particular xls.
With this application you can open, edit, save files. The main window and toolbar of the program are very reminiscent of MS Office.
Rice. 4 – working with tables in Planamesa NeoOffice
Also for Mac OS you can download the previously described Open Office or LibreOffice.
A file with the XLSX extension takes up less space, so it is recommended to use it. But if you need to convert a document, do the following:
Is it possible to open Excel files on Android by default?
How to open a PDF file on Android - description of all methods
While inexperienced people are looking for how to open XLS on Android using standard tools, knowledgeable users know that by default in this operating system and, as a result, on any gadget running it, there is no built-in functionality for working with files created Excel spreadsheet processor.
In this case, the necessary software can be downloaded and installed completely free of charge from the official Play Market store. As the story progresses, we will talk in more detail about the XLSM file and how to open it on an Android phone.
What are the ways to open XLS, XLSX and XLSM files on Android OS
There really aren't that many ways. This cannot be achieved using standard tools, but you can always use third-party software to work with data of this format. This includes official applications from . This is not always convenient, but you can always read and edit the file.
One of the best solutions for how to open an XLSX file on Android is to use Microsoft Excel for Android
Microsoft Excel
Chances are the spreadsheet you're trying to view was created in Excel, so why not use the same program for true continuity?
Microsoft has made no secret of its intention to bring mobile devices closer to desktop apps with the release of Windows 10, and as part of this package, many improvements have been made to the Office suite. While previous mobile apps were severely limited compared to the desktop version, the current Excel app for iOS and Android is very reliable.
There's a caveat, however—while the app itself is free, its capabilities vary depending on what type of Office subscription you have access to. Basic features are available to all users, but more advanced features require an active Office 365 membership.
One of the main disadvantages of Excel is its size. More than 400 MB may be too large for users working with limited memory. However, it is head and shoulders above its competitors in terms of desktop client compatibility, its feature set and overall level of polish.
Download - Microsoft Excel for Android (free with in-app purchases), Microsoft Excel for iOS (free with in-app purchases)
To download and install it, you need to:
XLSX: how to open on an Android device
How to open TIFF on Android - programs and online services
Many people today use mobile phones everywhere. They are in no way inferior in functionality to computers. Users who work in the office often view mail and files on their gadgets. This also applies to Excel files, one of the most popular applications for creating spreadsheets for storing structured data sets.
Note! To work with such files, they often resort to using official applications from and third-party software solutions.
Microsoft Excel
The official and most powerful tool that allows you to quickly and efficiently work with Excel computer program files, create your documents directly on your phone, edit them and have quick access to them in a couple of clicks. Wherever you are, you can always have at hand a powerful tool for accounting and auditing, financial planning and creating databases for small businesses. Available for download on Play Market.
Google Sheets
The Google Sheets application allows each user of an Android gadget to edit and otherwise work with files of various formats directly on the phone. The functionality includes creating and editing tables, sharing documents, working with data without connecting to the Global Network, adding annotations and comments, formatting cells and using many functions from Excel.
This app wouldn't be on this list if it couldn't handle XLSX spreadsheets. Google Sheets is fully capable of opening, editing and saving such data.
Working in Google Sheets
QuickOffice
Using this software product, you can easily create, edit and access all popular documents created using Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. There is support for even the oldest versions of formats.
Note! There are many editing tools available for editing that have been copied from the original applications. The design and decoration are also repeated.
MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro
Another product that allows any user to view, convert and edit documents created in Word, Excel or Power Point from Microsoft. You can also print a document if your mobile device or tablet is connected to a wired or wireless printer.
Microsoft Office for Android
Microsoft Office is a whole software package that contains the tools Word, Excel and PowerPoint. This is a new application from Microsoft that combines three different programs into one environment. It is now possible to create and edit files without having to switch from window to window.
WPS (Kingsoft Office)
It has a high rating among similar applications. The solution is a set of programs that are suitable for any gadget on the Android operating system, including tablets, mobile phones and even laptops. The software works not only as an editor for such files, but is also capable of converting them into other popular formats such as DOC, PPT, DOCX, etc.
Important! The advantage is the support of Russian and English among many others.
AndroXLS
Software similar in functionality to working with spreadsheets in XLS format. In addition to simply creating and working in documents, you can organize general access to them, that is, share them through built-in tools. Also has a file manager for faster and more convenient document management.
Document Viewer
A simple and minimalistic application, designed in the style of official tools. This is one of the smallest solutions in terms of weight, which, despite this, has wide functionality for viewing and saving Word, Excel, Docs, Slide & Sheet files.
AndroXLS interface
Using special applications
Microsoft Excel
Let's start with the most obvious - a proprietary application from Microsoft, which, in fact, invented these tables. Their Android phone program has a similar name, but is free to download. However, you will still need to sign up for a paid Microsoft 365 subscription to access the full suite of features.
Microsoft Excel allows you not only to open files, but also to edit them, as well as create your own using numerous templates on the go. On your smartphone you can use all the same formulas and functions for calculations as in the computer version. There is also the ability to visualize data (for example, in the form of graphs and charts), and on devices that support touch input, a drawing function is available, which helps you quickly take notes and highlight any areas.
But even such an undisputed leader has its drawbacks. To use the application, you need a Microsoft account, and to access all functions, you need a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. The program weighs a little (65 MB), but is demanding in terms of RAM (at least 1 GB), OS version (Android 6.0+) and processor ( based on ARM or Intel x86).
Despite its shortcomings, the application remains the most popular for opening xlsx files (more than 1 billion downloads), and we also recommend it for installation.
Google Sheets
Google Sheets is another popular program among users, as can be seen from its 500 million downloads. It also allows you to open and edit tables, format cells and enter formulas into them, and save files. True, unlike Microsoft Excel, there is no possibility of data visualization.
What is a clear advantage of Google Sheets is that the program works in both online and offline modes. The computer version allows you to create tables and work with them, roughly speaking, on the “Internet”, or more precisely, in cloud storage. This hides significant advantages - you can share tables with colleagues for collaboration, leave comments, and the file itself is stored in the cloud and saved automatically, which negates the likelihood of it being lost or not saved. The application inherits all these functions.
Google Sheets can also work offline with xlsx files that are stored in the smartphone’s memory. The advantages also include a simple, user-friendly interface and relatively low system requirements (Android 5.0+).
XLSX Viewer
Unfortunately, the programs described above are two “titans” that do not leave even a ghostly chance for their competitors. But we found a couple of other apps from lesser-known developers that also get the job done. One of them is the English-language XLSX viewer.
A cluttered interface can be intimidating to the user, but once you understand it a little, everything will fall into place. The program automatically searches for xlsx files and allows you to open them in one click. There are no editing options.
The advantages of XLSX Viewer include its small size (19 MB), low system requirements (Android 4.4+) and the fact that all functions are available for free, without any subscriptions. The program can also open files of other formats ( pdf , docx , ppt ), but its main purpose is to work with tables.
Among the shortcomings is the not very attractive design, as well as the presence of advertising that interferes with the work.
XLSX File Reader
We came to the most minimalistic and less popular application of the selection. XLSX File Reader, like XLSX Viewer, is intended only for opening (not editing) xlsx files. The program will also automatically collect all the tables that you have on your Android smartphone and display them in a convenient window.
What XLSX File Reader should be praised for is its nice design. It is not overloaded with unnecessary functions, and although there are advertisements, they do not distract from work. This program is the least demanding in our selection - its size is only 7.9 MB, and it requires Android 4.1 to run. Therefore, if you have a weak smartphone and are looking for how to open xlsx , we recommend this program.
Opening Excel files on Android through online services
How to open an exe file on Android - all ways to launch the extension
Some people know about the availability of web services and are interested in how to open an XLS file on Android online. Almost the same manipulations with Excel spreadsheet files can be done using online services. The most accessible and functional of them:
- Online Excel Viewer. Available at https://office.live.com/start/Excel.aspx?ui=ru-RU. To use, you must have a Microsoft account or complete a simple registration. The tool almost completely replicates the computer or mobile version of the program and has a similar interface and set of capabilities;
- Google Docs. This application has already been described earlier, but it also has a web version, which is not much different from the mobile version. All the same functions and capabilities are available;
- Zoho Sheet. You can go to it using the link https://sheet.zoho.com/sheet/excelviewer. There are two options: select a file from your computer or phone, and also provide a direct link to it. The service allows you to create and open spreadsheets for fast and efficient calculations. There is support for XLS, XLSX, XLSM, SXC, ODS, CSV and TSV.
Working with Zoho Sheet
Google Sheets
In terms of free Office competitors, no one can really compete with Google. The company's services are available on all platforms, including a powerful web client, making them very accessible. Moreover, their collaboration capabilities are no different from Microsoft's.
The Google Sheets app is a very convenient tool for viewing and editing spreadsheets for smartphones and tablets. Even more than Excel, its functionality has been adapted for use on smaller screens. This is especially useful if you use your phone.
What problems may arise when opening
The user may have to face a number of errors and problems when viewing or editing Excel files on their Android. Among the most popular:
- no application update;
- the operating system has not been updated to the latest version;
- The phone's memory is full and Excel cannot work normally;
- the document is corrupted or was created by a crooked third-party application.
Important! To prevent such situations, you should use only official solutions from Microsoft and regularly update them, like the OS itself.
The process of opening a file on a phone via a computer
Thus, it was explained what the XLSM format is and how to open it on Android. You won’t be able to view it using standard tools, but don’t worry, since there are a huge number of online services and software solutions for working with files of similar formats.
Causes
The first thing you need to figure out is why the Excel file won’t open on your phone. There can be several popular explanations for this:
- Lack of necessary applications on the phone. It is known that Excel spreadsheets do not open by default on an Android mobile device. This is due to the lack of tools that support this file format. Moreover, the necessary programs can be easily downloaded via Google Play. Below we will consider universal options with which an Excel table not only opens, but can also be adjusted on the phone.
- Saving in the wrong format. The next reason why an Excel file cannot be opened on Android is the wrong choice of format, which is simply not supported by the program.
- App/phone errors. We cannot exclude a situation where an Excel table does not open due to temporary failures.
Above are the main reasons why Excel does not open on Android. We will look at how to solve them in detail below.
