
Of the 484 current functions, 386 may be called from VBA as methods of the object "WorksheetFunction" and 44 have the same names as VBA functions. Microsoft classifies these functions in 14 categories. Microsoft allows for a number of optional command-line switches to control the manner in which Excel starts.Įxcel 2016 has 484 functions. Of these, 360 existed prior to Excel 2010. Excel was not designed to be used as a database. It also has a variety of interactive features allowing user interfaces that can completely hide the spreadsheet from the user, so the spreadsheet presents itself as a so-called application, or decision support system (DSS), via a custom-designed user interface, for example, a stock analyzer, or in general, as a design tool that asks the user questions and provides answers and reports. In a more elaborate realization, an Excel application can automatically poll external databases and measuring instruments using an update schedule, analyze the results, make a Word report or PowerPoint slide show, and e-mail these presentations on a regular basis to a list of participants. It allows sectioning of data to view its dependencies on various factors for different perspectives (using pivot tables and the scenario manager). A PivotTable is a powerful tool that can save time when it comes to data analysis. It does this by simplifying large data sets via PivotTable fields that are also known as "the building blocks of PivotTables." It has a programming aspect, Visual Basic for Applications, allowing the user to employ a wide variety of numerical methods, for example, for solving differential equations of mathematical physics, and then reporting the results back to the spreadsheet. In addition, it can display data as line graphs, histograms and charts, and with a very limited three-dimensional graphical display.

It has a battery of supplied functions to answer statistical, engineering, and financial needs. Microsoft Excel has the basic features of all spreadsheets, using a grid of cells arranged in numbered rows and letter-named columns to organize data manipulations like arithmetic operations. Excel forms part of the Microsoft Office suite of software. It has been a very widely applied spreadsheet for these platforms, especially since version 5 in 1993, and it has replaced Lotus 1-2-3 as the industry standard for spreadsheets.

It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
