- Use internet tools to enhance Excel workbooks
As with Word, there’s more that Microsoft Excel can do. If you find yourself curious, Microsoft’s website is a good place to check, or you can run a web search for how to use a particular feature.
What are Excel Add-ins?
Add-ins are extra tools you can install to give Excel new capabilities. Think of them like apps for your spreadsheet. Microsoft offers many free add-ins that can help you:
- Import live data from the web
- Create advanced visualizations
- Add mapping features
- Connect to other Microsoft services
Finding and Installing Add-ins
To access Excel add-ins:
- Click the “Insert” tab on the Excel ribbon
- Look for the “Add-ins” or “Get Add-ins” button
- Browse the Office Store for available add-ins
- Click “Add” to install the ones you want to use
Popular Excel Add-ins
Some useful add-ins include:
- Stocks connector – Import real-time stock data
- Mapping tools – Create geographic visualizations
- Template gallery – Access professional templates
- Data streamers – Connect to live data sources
Using Online Features
Beyond add-ins, Excel has built-in online capabilities:
- OneDrive integration for cloud storage
- Real-time collaboration with others
- Online picture insertion
- Smart lookup for research