Which and how many versions of Microsoft Excel are there to date? 2022 list

It is no secret to anyone that, within the Microsoft Office package, one of the most used applications is Microsoft Excel. Well, by default, it is the spreadsheet with graphic tools, pivot tables and a programming language known as “VisualBasic”, most recognized and used in the world. Taking into account that it is even cross-platform.

However, since its launch in 1985, there are many versions of Excel that have been developed and due to this, for some people it is of great interest to know what each of these versions are, in detail. Taking into account that, the last of these was developed and released now in 2019.

In this sense, we want to let you know, mainly, the most important characteristics that make Microsoft Excel a unique tool since it is a spreadsheet. Apart from that, we indicate each and every one of the existing versions until today.

What features made Microsoft Excel a unique spreadsheet program when it was released?

Before starting the list of the existing versions of Microsoft Excel from its inception to the present, it is very important to keep in mind what particularities are those that position this Office program as the most important in the world when it comes to spreadsheets. Since, thanks to that, it is estimated as a truly unique spreadsheet tool.

In this way, we present these characteristics, below:

It has a cell layout.

Since its inception, this program has stood out for offering the possibility of entering data just as if you were doing it on a sheet of accounting books. Well, it’s about a digital platform designed to mimic that especially.

Therefore, it is a very important tool for accounting professionalsgiven that they were able to adopt a great change from physical to digital platform, but without having to undergo modifications in the usual format.

Allows you to use features

Without a doubt, another of the most important features of this Office program is the possibility that users have to use functions. In other words, it contains predefined formulas that manage to carry out calculations thanks to a series of specific values ​​and by following a certain order. In such a way that, simplifies mathematical operations, statistics, database, logic, compatibilityetc.

Guarantees great ease of use

Although some basic knowledge of accounting and handling of formulas and tools is required, the truth is that Microsoft Excel is very easy to use. Well, it contains a large number of buttons that simplify its use and due to this, the user will not have to learn complicated commands to work on this digital platform.

Offers macro creation

Excel also stands out for facilitating the possibility of creating macros. Which are those in charge of make a record of a scriptso that these actions can be executed by the user automatically.

It is worth noting that the creation of macros makes use of the VBA or Visual Basic for Applications language, which allows add new features or execute simple commands. With what, the work time is reduced, the error rate is reduced and, in short, it can be classified as a more functional program.

Chronology of all versions of Excel that have existed to date

On the other hand, we have reached the section of the post in which we let you know, chronologically, all versions of Microsoft Excel that have ever existed.

Of course, highlighting its most special features, right away:

Excel 1.0

Year of release: 1985

As its name indicates, it is the first version of this Microsoft program. Which, mainly, was a platform created to be used on the Macintosh operating system.

Among its most interesting features, we highlight that thanks to its graphical interface and its compatibility for the mouse, I take a notable advantage over its competition, that is, Lotus 1-2-3. Apart from that, we note that its creation was set only for computers with Apple’s MAC platform.

Excel 2.0

Year of release: 1987

Given that the well-known Windows operating system had just been launched this year, Excel focused on launching the first of its versions for it. Which means that it basically showed the same features as the first version, but giving continuity to a platform that supports Windows.

In this sense, it was cataloged as a version of Excel that corresponded to the Macintosh, but added a Windows runtime; In short.

Excel 3.0

Year of release: 1990

Three years later, version 3.0 of this program was published and since Windows already had a greater acceptance worldwide, Excel incorporated notable improvements for position itself as Microsoft’s flagship software.

In this sense, Excel 3.0 became much more important, especially because of the new functions it included. Such as: toolbars, 3D graphics, drawing features and apart from that, an optimization in the appearance of the platform.

Excel 4.0

Year of release: 1992

Next, version 4 of Microsoft Excel appeared, which showed no changes of interest to the general public. Since, since there was no competition for this software in the Windows operating system, the time was used to improve the tool and after that, release version 5.0.

Excel 5.0

Year of release: 1993

Only a year later, they decided to publish the Excel 5.0 version that was available for both Windows and Mac computers. In such a way that it was cataloged as one of the most transcendental versions of this spreadsheet program.

This, especially, because it began to allow the creation of multiple sheets within the workbook and in addition to this, it added support for the well-known programming language VBA or Visual Basic for Applications, which makes it easier to add new functions.

Excel 7.0 (Excel 95)

Year of release: 1995

Surely you are wondering what happened to version 6.0 of Microsoft Excel and before that, it is worth noting that this was omitted in order to be able to match the other Office products. In this sense, from 1995, the versions of Excel begin to be known by their year of publication.

For its part, Excel 95 exhibited some new features that were of paramount importance for this software. One of them is the possibility of running on a 32-bit operating system or, in the Windows 95.

Excel 8.0 (Excel 97)

Release Year: 1997

Also known as Excel 97, it is a program that introduced conditional formatting and also data validation. Therefore, it took on a greater boom and thus, it became a software with greater power and utility.

In addition to that, Excel 8.0 also added a new VBA editor and was able to introduce class modules and user forms. For with this, provide more capabilities to its customers in the world.

Excel 9.0 (Excel 2000)

Year of release: 2000

Since 1999, Excel was born in its version number 9, in which support for COM add-ons is added, as well as some improvements for pivot tables. In addition to that, added HTML format as file format and even, it also had multiple clipboards.

It should be noted that, a year after its design, it was launched on the market. That is, in the year 2000 and officially, Excel 9.0 was part of Microsoft Office 2001.

Excel 10.0 (Excel 2001)

Year of release: 2001

Just one year after version 9.0, 10.0 was released which is also known as “ExcelXP”. Since, it was prepared to be part of Office XP and with it, be launched along with the Windows XP operating system.

However, it is an insignificant version of Microsoft Excel. Since, I only add features like save your work once the excel crashed and recover damaged files.

Excel 11.0 (Excel 2003)

Year of release: 2003

In reference to the year 2001 and 2002, the only version that covered these times was 10.0. Now, in the year 2003, Microsoft Excel 11.0 was released. Being this a platform that introduced certain corrections in some statistical functions and provided improved support for XML.

It is worth pointing out that Excel 11.0 belonged to the 2004 Office package.

Excel 12.0 (Excel 2008)

Release Year: 2008

It was not until five years later that a new version of this spreadsheet program was introduced. So, in all that time, they designed a platform with greater utility and certainly, more novel.

In this sense, one of the most relevant features of Excel in its version 12 was the change in the ribbon. In this way, it was possible a new file format and a new user interface. In addition to the fact that the concept of the Excel table was improved, since it increased the capacity of a spreadsheet with more rows and columns.

Excel 14.0 (Excel 2010)

Release Year: 2010

Two years later, Microsoft skipped the release of a version 13 and version 14 of Excel appeared. This, also known as Excel 2010, is one of the most outstanding for 32 and 64 bits.

In this sense, version 14.0 introduced the sparklines of a cell, exhibited a remarkable optimization in the control and the attractiveness of pivot tables, added slicer and also Backstage view.

Excel 15.0 (Excel 2013)

Release Year: 2013

Subsequently, Excel 2013 was exhibited on the market and this new version added new features of great interest. Among them, we find the fast filling of columns that has the capacity to recognize some patterns in your data and thus, make immediate suggestions.

In addition to this, it also stood out for analyzing the data to provide you with recommendations regarding the graphs to create and also suggests certain parameters when creating a pivot table. In other words, in 2013, the digital platform already had more advanced and intelligent features.

Excel 16.0 (Excel 2016)

Release Year: 2016

This Microsoft tool is also known as “Excel 2016” and has a map chart where you can get embedded maps that are part of the spreadsheet. In order to do so, offer the option of having the extra applications that extend the use of this program.

In addition to that, version 16 added new charts (such as rectangles and the funnel chart), was also distinguished by offering much faster pivot tables than previous versions and introduced new features to be able to prevent the use of added functions and templates.

Excel 19.0 (Excel 2018)

Release Year: 2018

As part of Microsoft Office 2019, the 19th version of Excel has been released. Which was first available in Office Professional 2019. In it, notable improvements could be seen around accessibility functions. For example, useful sounds to optimize accessibility.

Additionally, sharing is much easier, contains precision selectionimproved autocomplete, quick access to superscript and subscript, new themes, etc.

What will be the next version of Microsoft Excel and what are the expectations surrounding it?

After the Microsoft Excel version 19, its successor is expected in 2020, that is, in just a few months. But, so far, no details of interest have been found regarding her nor its exact date of publication.

Thus, simply, it is estimated that it will have some improvements and will continue to be the standard digital platform for spreadsheets. more important between the years 2020 and 2025; even though there are several alternatives on the market with great capacity.