How to Download Excel 2016 for Free
Excel 2016 is a powerful and versatile spreadsheet application that is part of the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software. It can help you organize, analyze, and manipulate large amounts of data, create charts and graphs, perform complex calculations, and more. But how can you get Excel 2016 for free without breaking the law or risking your computer's security? In this article, we will show you three methods to download Excel 2016 for free, along with their pros and cons, and how to use them.
Introduction
What is Excel 2016 and why you might want it
Excel 2016 is the latest version of Microsoft's spreadsheet application that was released in September 2015. It has all the functionality and features of Excel 2013, plus some new ones, such as:
how to download excel 2016 for free
Create six new chart types, including Waterfall, Statistical chart, Histogram, Pareto, and Box and Whisker.
Find and bring all the data you need into one place using Get & Transform Data.
Use 3D Maps to visualize and tell stories with your data.
New tool to quickly search commands.
New Charts: Sunburst, Waterfall, Histograms and Pareto charts.
Scalable Vector Graphics: Now you can insert SVGs in Excel.
Enhanced PivotTable.
Multi-Select Slicer.
Power BI.
Newer, better charts.
Collaboration.
If you want to take advantage of these features and more, you might want to download Excel 2016 for free. However, you should be aware that Excel 2016 is a paid software application that normally costs $70 per year or $150 for a one-time purchase. So how can you get it for free without breaking the law or risking your computer's security?
How to get Excel 2016 legally and safely
There are three ways to get Excel 2016 for free legally and safely. These are:
Use Office Online in a browser.
Sign up for a free one-month trial.
Redeem your product key or subscription.
We will explain each method in detail below, along with their pros and cons, and how to use them.
Method 1: Use Office Online in a Browser
Pros and cons of using Office Online
The first method to get Excel 2016 for free is to use Office Online in a browser. This is a web-based version of Excel that you can access from any device with an internet connection. You just need to sign in with a free Microsoft account at . You can then open and create Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office documents right in your browser. You can also drag and drop a file from your computer onto the Office.com page. It will be uploaded to your Microsoft accounts free OneDrive storage, and you can open it in the associated application.
The pros of using Office Online are:
It's completely free.
You don't need to download or install anything on your device.
You can The cons of using Office Online are:
How to get Microsoft Excel 2016 for free trial
How to use Microsoft Excel 2016 online for free
How to install Microsoft Excel 2016 with product key
How to legally download Office 2016 for free from Microsoft
How to access Microsoft Excel 2016 for free as a student
How to upgrade to Microsoft Excel 2016 from older version
How to download Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac for free
How to activate Microsoft Excel 2016 without paying
How to download Microsoft Excel 2016 offline installer
How to get Microsoft Excel 2016 for free with OneDrive
How to find Microsoft Excel 2016 download link
How to uninstall Microsoft Excel 2016 after trial expires
How to renew Microsoft Excel 2016 subscription for free
How to download Microsoft Excel 2016 for Windows 10 for free
How to use Microsoft Excel 2016 features and functions
How to troubleshoot Microsoft Excel 2016 installation issues
How to convert Microsoft Excel 2016 files to PDF for free
How to create and edit spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to share and collaborate on Microsoft Excel 2016 documents
How to import and analyze data with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to make charts and graphs with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use pivot tables and formulas with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to protect and secure Microsoft Excel 2016 files
How to customize and optimize Microsoft Excel 2016 settings
How to learn Microsoft Excel 2016 skills for free online
How to update Microsoft Excel 2016 to the latest version
How to backup and restore Microsoft Excel 2016 files
How to connect Microsoft Excel 2016 to external data sources
How to use macros and VBA with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to integrate Microsoft Excel 2016 with other Office applications
How to compare and merge Microsoft Excel 2016 files
How to export and print Microsoft Excel 2016 files
How to add and remove add-ins for Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use templates and themes with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use conditional formatting and data validation with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use slicers and timelines with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use sparklines and data bars with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use power query and power pivot with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use what-if analysis and goal seek with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use solver and scenario manager with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use data tables and charts with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use functions and formulas with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use lookup and reference functions with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use text and date functions with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use logical and math functions with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use statistical and financial functions with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use array formulas and named ranges with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use error handling and debugging tools with Microsoft Excel 2016
How to use keyboard shortcuts and mouse tricks with Microsoft Excel 2016
It has limited features and functionality compared to the desktop version of Excel 2016.
You need a stable internet connection to use it.
You have to sign in with a Microsoft account and store your files on OneDrive.
How to access and use Excel Online
To access and use Excel Online, follow these steps:
Go to and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don't have one, you can create one for free.
Click on the Excel icon on the homepage. This will open a new tab with Excel Online.
Click on the New blank workbook button to create a new spreadsheet, or click on one of the templates to start with a pre-made design.
You can also click on the Open from OneDrive button to open an existing spreadsheet that you have saved on OneDrive, or click on the Upload and open button to upload a file from your computer.
Use the ribbon at the top of the screen to access various tools and commands, such as formatting, formulas, charts, and more. You can also right-click on any cell or element to see more options.
To save your spreadsheet, click on the File tab and then click on Save As. You can choose to save it on OneDrive or download it to your computer as an Excel file or a PDF file.
To share your spreadsheet with others, click on the Share button at the top right corner of the screen. You can choose to send a link or an attachment via email, or copy the link and paste it anywhere you want. You can also set permissions for who can view or edit your spreadsheet.
Method 2: Sign Up for a Free One-Month Trial
Pros and cons of using the free trial
The second method to get Excel 2016 for free is to sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family. This is a subscription service that gives you access to the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Office applications, as well as 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage, Skype minutes, and advanced security features. You can use Microsoft 365 on up to five devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
The pros of using the free trial are:
You get to use the full-featured desktop version of Excel 2016 for one month.
You can also use other Office applications and services that are included in Microsoft 365.
You can cancel anytime before the trial ends and you won't be charged anything.
The cons of using the free trial are:
You need a credit card or a PayPal account to sign up for the trial.
You have to remember to cancel before the trial ends or you will be automatically charged $69.99 per year for Microsoft 365 Personal or $99.99 per year for Microsoft 365 Family.
You will lose access to Excel 2016 and other Office applications and services after the trial ends unless you pay for a subscription.
How to sign up and download Excel 2016
To sign up and download Excel 2016 for free using the one-month trial, follow these steps:
Go to and click on the Try for free button. You can choose between Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family, depending on how many devices and users you want to use it on.
Click on the Start free trial button and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don't have one, you can create one for free.
Enter your payment details, such as your credit card or PayPal information. You won't be charged anything until the trial ends, and you can cancel anytime.
Click on the Subscribe button and follow the instructions to download and install Excel 2016 and other Office applications on your device.
You can also access Excel Online and other Office Online applications from your browser by going to and signing in with your Microsoft account.
To cancel your trial before it ends, go to and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click on Manage next to your Microsoft 365 subscription and then click on Cancel. You will still be able to use Excel 2016 and other Office applications until the end of your trial period.
Method 3: Redeem Your Product Key or Subscription
Pros and cons of using a product key or subscription
The third method to get Excel 2016 for free is to redeem your product key or subscription that you already have or received from somewhere else. A product key is a 25-character code that comes with a physical or digital copy of Excel 2016 or Office 2016 that you purchased from a retailer or online. A subscription is a service that gives you access to Excel 2016 and other Office applications as part of Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Business, or Education that you purchased from Microsoft or another provider.
The pros of using a product key or subscription are:
You get to use the full-featured desktop version of Excel 2016 for as long as you have a valid product key or subscription.
You can also use other Office applications and services that are included in your product key or subscription.
You don't have to pay anything extra if you already have a product key or subscription.
The cons of using a product key or subscription are:
You need to have a product key or subscription that is compatible with Excel 2016. Some older versions of Excel or Office may not work with Excel 2016.
You need to download and install Excel 2016 on your device, which may take some time and space.
You may need to activate or renew your product key or subscription periodically to keep using Excel 2016.
How to find and enter your product key or sign in with your subscription
To find and enter your product key or sign in with your subscription to download Excel 2016 for free, follow these steps:
Go to and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don't have one, you can create one for free.
If you have a product key, enter it in the box and click on Next. If you don't have a product key, click on the I have a subscription button and sign in with the account that has your subscription.
Select your country or region and language and click on Next.
Click on the Install button and follow the instructions to download and install Excel 2016 and other Office applications on your device.
You can also access Excel Online and other Office Online applications from your browser by going to and signing in with your Microsoft account.
To activate or renew your product key or subscription, go to and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click on Manage next to your Excel 2016 or Office 2016 product key or Microsoft 365 subscription and follow the instructions.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points and recommendations
In this article, we have shown you three methods to download Excel 2016 for free, along with their pros and cons, and how to use them. These are:
Use Office Online in a browser. This is a web-based version of Excel that you can access from any device with an internet connection. It's completely free, but it has limited features and functionality compared to the desktop version of Excel 2016.
Sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family. This is a subscription service that gives you access to the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Office applications, as well as 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage, Skype minutes, and advanced security features. You can use Microsoft 365 on up to five devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. You get to use the full-featured desktop version of Excel 2016 for one month, but you need a credit card or a PayPal account to sign up for the trial, and you have to remember to cancel before the trial ends or you will be automatically charged $69.99 per year for Microsoft 365 Personal or $99.99 per year for Microsoft 365 Family.
Redeem your product key or subscription that you already have or received from somewhere else. A product key is a 25-character code that comes with a physical or digital copy of Excel 2016 or Office 2016 that you purchased from a retailer or online. A subscription is a service that gives you access to Excel 2016 and other Office applications as part of Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Business, or Education that you purchased from Microsoft or another provider. You get to use the full-featured desktop version of Excel 2016 for as long as you have a valid product key or subscription, but you need to have a product key or subscription that is compatible with Excel 2016, and you need to download and install Excel 2016 on your device, which may take some time and space.
We recommend that you choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences. If you just want to try out Excel 2016 for a short time or use it occasionally, you can use Office Online in a browser. If you want to use Excel 2016 for a longer time or use it frequently, you can sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family. If you already have a product key or subscription that works with Excel 2016, you can redeem it and download Excel 2016 on your device.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to download Excel 2016 for free:
Q: Can I download Excel 2016 for free without a Microsoft account?
A: No, you need a Microsoft account to use any of the methods we described in this article. A Microsoft account is free and easy to create, and it gives you access to various Microsoft services and products.
Q: Can I download Excel 2016 for free without an internet connection?
A: No, you need an internet connection to use any of the methods we described in this article. You need an internet connection to access Office Online in a browser, sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, or redeem your product key or subscription. You also need an internet connection to download and install Excel 2016 on your device, and to access Excel Online and other Office Online applications from your browser.
Q: Can I download Excel 2016 for free without a credit card or a PayPal account?
A: Yes, you can use Office Online in a browser without a credit card or a PayPal account. However, you need a credit card or a PayPal account to sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, or to purchase a product key or subscription that works with Excel 2016.
Q: Can I download Excel 2016 for free without downloading or installing anything on my device?
A: Yes, you can use Office Online in a browser without downloading or installing anything on your device. However, you need to download and install Excel 2016 on your device if you want to use the desktop version of Excel 2016 that comes with a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, or with a product key or subscription that works with Excel 2016.
Q: Can I download Excel 2016 for free and keep using it forever?
A: No, you can only use Excel 2016 for free for a limited time. You can use Office Online in a browser for free as long as you have an internet connection and a Microsoft account, but it has limited features and functionality compared to the desktop version of Excel 2016. You can use the desktop version of Excel 2016 for free for one month if you sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, but you have to cancel before the trial ends or you will be automatically charged $69.99 per year for Microsoft 365 Personal or $99.99 per year for Microsoft 365 Family. You can use the desktop version of Excel 2016 for as long as you have a valid product key or subscription that works with Excel 2016, but you have to pay for the product key or subscription from a retailer or online, or from Microsoft or another provider.
I hope this article has helped you learn how to download Excel 2016 for free. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 44f88ac181
Comments