Excel on Android Gets a Much-Needed Boost with New Features
Microsoft Excel on Android has undergone significant improvements, making it a viable option for spreadsheet work on mobile devices. Aggy, a veteran writer and editor in the technology space, recently rediscovered the app's capabilities after experiencing firsthand its upgraded features.
The most notable improvement is the dedicated numeric keypad built into the app. This allows users to quickly access numbers, currency symbols, and math operators without having to constantly switch between keyboard layouts. The larger touch targets also enhance accuracy when typing formulas.
Another useful feature is AutoCalculate, which displays basic totals in the status bar as soon as a range of cells is selected. This saves time and mental effort for users who need quick answers on the go. In contrast to Google Sheets on Android, Excel's cloud sync protocol, Cobalt, provides faster and more reliable syncing, even with patchy internet connections.
The app also allows users to scan paper tables directly into a spreadsheet by taking a photo of the table and using the 'Data from Picture' feature. This eliminates the need for manual data entry.