To open an existing Excel file in Excel for the web (formerly called Excel Online), sign in to OneDrive with a Microsoft account, upload the workbook if it is on your computer, and select the file. You can also open a workbook stored in a SharePoint environment that supports Office for the web, provided you have access. Some formats are converted, and some workbook features may require desktop Excel.
Upload and open an Excel file in OneDrive
For an existing workbook stored on your computer, use OneDrive to upload and open it:
- Sign in to OneDrive with a Microsoft account.
- Open the folder where you want to store the workbook.
- Select Upload and add the workbook from your computer.
- When the upload finishes, select the workbook in OneDrive.
The workbook opens in Excel for the web. In Microsoft’s described OneDrive workflow, selecting a workbook opens it in edit mode. The view you get can depend on how you opened the file and your permissions.
Open a workbook already in OneDrive
If the workbook is already stored in OneDrive, sign in to the account that can access it, open the folder, and select the workbook. If you cannot find the file, check that you are using the correct account and folder.
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Open a workbook from SharePoint
You can access a work or school workbook through SharePoint when the site has Office for the web available and you have permission to the file.
- Open the SharePoint site that contains the workbook.
- Open its document library.
- Select the workbook to open it in the browser.
If browser access is unavailable, your permissions or the organization’s SharePoint setup may be the reason. Contact your administrator or open the workbook in desktop Excel if that is an available option.
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Create a new workbook in Excel for the web
To start with a blank workbook, sign in to OneDrive, open a folder, and select Create > Excel workbook. Excel for the web opens the new workbook for editing and saves changes automatically.
Supported Excel file formats and limitations
Microsoft lists these formats as supported in Excel for the web. Support does not mean every workbook feature behaves the same as it does in desktop Excel.
| Format | What to know |
|---|---|
| .xlsx | Supported in Excel for the web. |
| .xls | Supported; Microsoft says it is converted to the newer .xlsx format when opened. |
| .csv | Supported; Microsoft says it is converted to the newer .xlsx format when opened. |
| .xlsb | Supported in Excel for the web. |
| .ods | Supported in Excel for the web. |
| .xlsm | Can be opened, but macros do not run in the browser. |
Some workbook features can prevent a file from opening or working in the browser. Microsoft gives VBA projects and XML maps as examples. If Excel offers Edit a Copy, you can use that route for browser editing, but unsupported features are removed from the copy. To work with the full workbook and retain those features, use desktop Excel.
Troubleshoot upload and access problems
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| The workbook is missing from OneDrive | You may be signed in to a different account or looking in the wrong folder. | Check the signed-in account and browse the folder where the file was uploaded. |
| The file will not upload | The connection or sign-in session may have been interrupted, you may lack permission to the file or destination folder, the file type may be unsupported, or storage may be limited. | Check your connection and sign-in, confirm permissions and available storage, and verify that the file type is supported. |
| The workbook opens but a feature is unavailable | Some features are not supported in the browser or work differently there. | Use Edit a Copy if offered and acceptable, or open the full workbook in desktop Excel. |
| The workbook opens read-only | You may have view access rather than edit access, or the file may have opened in viewing mode. | Check that you are signed in with the right account and have edit permission. Ask the file owner or administrator for access if needed. |
FAQ
Is Excel Online the same as Excel for the web?
Excel for the web is Microsoft’s current name for its browser-based Excel application. Excel Online is an older name that people still use.
Can I open an Excel file online without installing Excel?
Yes. You can upload an existing workbook to OneDrive and open it in Excel for the web without the desktop Excel application. You need a Microsoft account for the OneDrive workflow and access to the file.
Do I have to upload a workbook before opening it online?
Upload it if it is stored on your computer. A workbook already in OneDrive or an accessible SharePoint environment can be opened from there.
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Does Excel for the web support .xlsm files and macros?
Excel for the web can open .xlsm files, but macros do not run in the browser.
Why will my workbook not open or work properly in the browser?
The file may use an unsupported format or features that Excel for the web cannot handle. Microsoft cites VBA projects and XML maps as examples. Try Edit a Copy if offered, knowing unsupported features are removed from the copy, or use desktop Excel to work with the full workbook.
Does Excel for the web save changes automatically?
Microsoft says a new workbook created through OneDrive opens for editing and saves changes automatically. For an existing workbook, confirm that you have edit access and that it opened in edit mode.
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