Run Microsoft Excel on Mac with a virtual machine

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Trusted by over 7 million Mac users worldwide

"It's very easy to install, it's intuitive to use, coherence mode alone is an amazing bonus that I was not expecting. I use Parallels Desktop primarily for the Windows version of MS Office Suite, specifically Excel, as the macOS versions are severely stripped down in terms of features and missing many keyboard shortcuts."

Informatics and Database Officer

"I like the ease of use and overall performance of Parallels Desktop. I use the Microsoft stack, specifically Power Bi, Power Query, and Excel, as well as some light gaming (an old game called Dark Age of Camelot)."

Director, Business Operations Analyst

"I have good experience in the last ten years using Word and Excel on Parallels Desktop. This is revolutionary to be able to enjoy in the same platform both Mac's and Windows advantages."

President of the Academy of Hebrew Language

Here’s why Excel is better in Parallels Desktop

Wondering where key tools like comprehensive VBA, Active X and Form Controls, Smart Tags, Power Pivot and more are in Mac Excel?

Mac users, you don’t have to miss out. Your solution is running a virtual machine with the Windows OS on your Mac. Access all the features you know and love in the Microsoft version of Excel and more.

Keyboard shortcuts and layouts

Excel for Windows offers more keyboard choices and simpler navigation that are popular with power users. These include Windows-exclusive options like page break view, the customizable Quick Access Toolbar (QAT), and shortcuts for pasting links and pasting only formulas.

Power Pivot and data analysis

Excel for Windows includes full support for the Power Pivot feature, a business intelligence tool which enables users to import large amounts of heterogenous data into a single Excel workbook from various sources. Dynamic Pivot Charts and Pivot Tables are also exclusive to the Windows version of Excel (Excel for Mac offers static versions only).

Visual Basic Editor

If you build applications using Excel, then the Windows version is the more comprehensive option with extended ASCII characters, editable context menus, and VBA animations.

Use Windows-only plugins

Use these plugins with full functionality that's not available on Mac without Parallels.: Collectica, SpreadsheetConverter, CapIQ, JetReports, PowerUser, F9, Kutools, XLGL, and ASAP Utilities.

Form Controls and Active X

These popular form creation tools or form controls are only compatible with the Windows operating system; they are not supported on Excel for Mac and must be constructed in the Windows version of Excel.

Data connectivity options

Excel for Windows also offers a variety of data connectivity options, including web, tables/ranges, Access, ODBC SQL, PDF, JSON, XML, and more. You can import data from a wide variety of file formats, including PDF, JSON, XML, and more which are not supported by Excel for Mac.

See what features are available in Windows Excel vs Mac Excel

Features	Excel on Mac	Windows Excel
Comprehensive VBA code capabilities	No	Yes
Ability to connect to multiple data sources	No	Yes
View “Side by Side” option	No	Yes
“Smart Tag” feature	No	Yes
Ability to add visual effects	No	Yes
VBA support and animation	No	Yes
Extended ASCII characters	No	Yes
Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)	Incomplete	Yes
Power Pivot support	No	Yes
Active X & Form Controls	No	Yes
Data connectivity with ODBC SQL, HTML, Text, and Database (Microsoft Query).	No	Yes
Data connectivity with web, tables/ranges, Access, ODBC SQL, PDF, JSON, XML, etc.	No	Yes
Import data from a wide variety of file formats, including PDF, JSON, XML, etc.	No	Yes
Forecasting	No	Yes
Multi-item clip boarding	No	Yes

Parallels Desktop for Mac

Authorized by Microsoft

Optimized for Mac M-series

/year

Billed annually

Use 200,000+ Windows apps
Access the full range of Excel features
No need for a second Windows machine
Switch between macOS and Windows effortlessly

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How to download Microsoft Excel on Mac with Parallels Desktop

Download Parallels Desktop

Download and install Parallels Desktop on your Mac.

Install Windows

Once installed, set up a new virtual machine and install Windows*

*Windows license required

Launch Microsoft Excel

After installing Windows, you can run the Windows version of Excel and enjoy its full feature set and functionality, right from your Mac.

Why choose Parallels Desktop?

Authorized by Microsoft

The only solution authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on Apple M-series Macs.

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Parallels Toolbox included in the Pro Edition

Gain access to 50+ free productivity tools designed to simplify tasks.

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Live support

24/7 phone, chat and email support for subscribers. Get in touch anytime, anywhere.

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30-day money back guarantee

Cancel any time during your initial month if you are not completely satisfied.

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Using Microsoft Excel on Mac FAQs

How do I download Excel on Mac using Parallels Desktop?

You can download Excel on a Mac with Parallels Desktop the same way as on a Windows PC.

Start by downloading and installing Parallels Desktop (if you don’t have it already.)

Then open the Office app, sign into your Microsoft account, purchase (if necessary), and download the Microsoft Office Suite to your Windows virtual machine. The installation assistant will guide you through the process.

Once the installation is complete, you can access Microsoft Excel on your Mac by double-clicking the icon from the Windows start menu!

What other apps can I run on my Mac with Parallels Desktop?

You can run many of your favorite Windows and Linux apps on your Mac seamlessly with Parallels Desktop. See the list!

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Can I save an Excel file on Mac using Parallels Desktop?

Yes, you can save an Excel file on Mac using Parallels Desktop. Since Parallels Desktop shares Mac user folders with Windows, when you save an Excel file to the Documents folder, that file will also appear in the Documents folder on Mac.

Not only is this super convenient, it saves disk space since there is no need to copy files from Windows to Mac.

Can I update Excel on Mac using Parallels Desktop?

Yes, you can update Excel on Mac in a virtual machine powered by Parallels Desktop exactly the same way as you do on Windows — when you have an available update, just follow the directions from Microsoft, as you would on an actual PC.

Can I enable macros in Excel using Parallels Desktop?

Yes, you can enable macros, Power Query, full-featured PivotTables, and much more! Check the full list of Excel features.

Why does Microsoft Excel work differently on Mac?

Using Excel on a Mac versus a PC is a similar experience with some minor differences due to the different hardware and operating systems involved. There are advanced features only available in the Windows version of Excel that simply aren’t available in the version made for Mac or the Excel web application.

What is your return policy?

Parallels offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all purchases made on parallels.com. If you purchased from another retailer, please check their return policy. Learn more about our Parallels Desktop return policy.

What is your cancellation policy

You may request a full refund for any reason within 30 days of your purchase.

Please submit your refund request to Cleverbridge, the Parallels order processing partner, using the email request form or one of their phone numbers.

Does my subscription auto-renew in a year?

Parallels Desktop offers two different options: a one-time purchase or a subscription.

Subscriptions will auto-renew, and you can update to the latest version of Parallels Desktop if your subscription is active. Check out this guide to manage your auto-renew.

Do you offer discounts to students or faculty?

Parallels Desktop offers exclusive discounts for students enrolled in a qualified institution or professional educators employed at an eligible institution. Educational discounts can save users up to 50%. Start by verifying your student discount eligibility.

See what Parallels – and you – are capable of

200,000+ apps and integrations

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Office365

Experience the Windows version of Microsoft Office 365 on Mac.

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Outlook

Get Windows Outlook on Mac.

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Learn more about Microsoft Excel and Parallels Desktop

What’s the difference between Microsoft Excel on Mac vs. Windows?

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How to use keyboard shortcuts in Excel in a Windows virtual machine

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How to automatically open a file from Finder in a Windows program

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Access the full power and capability of Microsoft Excel on your Mac for only $99.99 a year with Parallels Desktop

Enjoy Microsoft Excel on Mac, plus other key Windows applications without the need for a PC.

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Run Windows Excel on your Mac

Trusted by over 7 million Mac users worldwide

Here’s why Excel is better in Parallels Desktop

See what features are available in Windows Excel vs Mac Excel

Parallels Desktop for Mac

How to download Microsoft Excel on Mac with Parallels Desktop

Download Parallels Desktop

Install Windows

Launch Microsoft Excel

Why choose Parallels Desktop?

Using Microsoft Excel on Mac FAQs

See what Parallels – and you – are capable of

200,000+ apps and integrations

Office365

Outlook

Learn more about Microsoft Excel and Parallels Desktop

Access the full power and capability of Microsoft Excel on your Mac for only $99.99 a year with Parallels Desktop