4 Ways to Open an Excel File

Table of contents:

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

This article explains how to open an Excel file to view its contents. To open an Excel file on computers, smartphones, and tablets, you can use a calculation program such as Microsoft Excel, a web app such as Google Sheets, or the Excel mobile app.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Using a Computer Program

Step 1. Locate the Excel file to open and click on the corresponding icon with the right mouse button

Go to the folder on your computer where the spreadsheet in question is stored, then click on the file name with the right mouse button. A context menu will be displayed.

Step 2. Move the mouse cursor over the Open with item in the menu that appeared

A submenu will be displayed containing a list of new options.

Step 3. Select Microsoft Excel from the "Open With" menu

This will start Microsoft Excel on your computer and the selected file will automatically open within the program.

If the Excel program is not present in the "Open with" menu, click on the option Other options or Other apps to be able to review the list of applications you can use.
If you don't have Excel installed on your computer, check the subscription plans you have available and choose the one that offers a free trial period by visiting the official Excel site.
Alternatively, you can download and install a free and open-source suite of programs such as Apache OpenOffice (https://www.openoffice.org) or LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org) which provides the same functions as Microsoft Office.

Method 2 of 4: Use the Excel web app

Step 1. Open the Microsoft Excel web client using your computer's internet browser

Type or paste the URL https://office.live.com/start/Excel.aspx into the browser address bar and press the Enter key.

If prompted, log in with your Microsoft ID or Outlook account.
You can use the Excel web client on any computer or mobile device that has an internet browser installed.

Step 2. Click the Upload and Open button visible at the top right of the page

It features an upward pointing arrow icon located at the top right of the page. The operating system file manager will appear, allowing you to choose the file to open.

Step 3. Select the Excel file you want to open

Use your computer's file manager to access the folder where the spreadsheet to open is stored and click on the corresponding icon to select it.

Step 4. Click the Open button

It is located in the lower right corner of the "Open" dialog box. The file will be loaded and opened within the Excel web client.

You can now use your browser to view and edit the content of the file

Method 3 of 4: Using Google Sheets

Step 1. Access the Google Sheets website using your device browser

Type or paste the URL https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets into the browser address bar and press the Enter key.

Alternatively, you can visit https://sheets.google.com. You will be redirected to the same web page.
If you are not signed in with your Google account, you will be prompted to do so now.
You can use the Google Sheets web client on any computer or mobile device.

Step 2. Click on the icon depicting a folder located in the upper right part of the page

It is located in the upper right corner of the recently opened file list, next to the icon AZ. The "Open a File" dialog box will appear.

Step 3. Click on the Upload tab

It is one of the tabs listed at the top of the "Open a File" pop-up window. In this way you will have the possibility to select the Excel file on the computer that you want to open.

Alternatively, you can click on the tab My Drive and select one of the files in your personal Google Drive library.

Step 4. Drag the Excel file in question into the "Open a file" window

After selecting the tab Load, you simply have to drag the Excel file you want to open into it.

In this way the file in question will be imported and opened within the Google Sheets web client using the computer browser.
Alternatively, you can click on the blue button Select a file from the device and manually select the file you want to open.

Method 4 of 4: Using the Excel Mobile App

Step 1. Launch the Excel app on your smartphone or tablet

It is characterized by the white and green letter "X" associated with a stylized spreadsheet. If you haven't installed the Excel app on your device yet, do so now by following these instructions:

Access the App Store on iPhone and iPad using this link.
Access the Google Play Store from an Android device using this link.

Step 2. Tap the Sign In Later link displayed at the bottom of the screen

This option allows you to use the Excel app on your mobile device without having to log in with a Microsoft account first.

Alternatively, enter your Microsoft account email or phone number or Skype ID and tap the arrow icon to log in

Step 3. Press the Open button

It features a folder icon and is located on the navigation bar. The list of locations from which you can import files to be processed will be displayed.

If you are using an iPhone, the "Open" button will be located in the lower right corner of the screen.
If you are using an Android device, the "Open" button will be located in the upper left corner of the screen.

Step 4. Select where the Excel file you want to open is stored

Select the corresponding option displayed in the list that appears.

If you want to open a file stored directly on your mobile device, choose the option This device or iPhone/iPad.

Step 5. Now select the Excel file to open

Tap the corresponding icon to open it within the Excel app.

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