Microsoft Excel was the first successful spreadsheet (an interactive computer application program for organization and analysis of data in tabular form) of its kind back in 1985, an improved version of Microsoft’s failed original spreadsheet Multiplan in 1982.

So, even though the Mac version of Excel doesn't include the workbook comparison feature found in Windows versions of the program described at How to compare two Excel files for differences, you still may be able to compare sheets in two Excel files by copying relevant sheets into a new sheet where you can see the differences displayed. A handy add-in for Microsoft Excel that was especially designed in order to help users perform comparisons between any two spreadsheets What's new in Spreadsheet Compare 1.36.0: Changed: Added. Apple Numbers vs. Microsoft Excel When it comes to Numbers and Excel, the differences are greater. Pages is basically a stripped down version of Word, but Numbers and Excel take different approaches to working with spreadsheets.

There are now a variety of spreadsheets available, with Microsoft’s Excel leading the market share with over 750 million users worldwide, it was only until 2007 Apple released Numbers 1.0, adding to the growing rivalry between the two technology giants.

Microsoft Excel has 400 functions in 11 categories compared to Apple’s Numbers possessing only 262 functions in 10 categories (categories for both spreadsheet programs include date/time, text, statistical, financial and engineering, etc).

Before any comparison can be made between the two spreadsheet programs, it must be first considered which computer they are being accessed from. Apple Numbers was specifically made for Mac users whereas Microsoft Excel possesses the capacity to operate functions on both Mac and Windows computers.

Overall Excel provides an overwhelming amount of functions in comparison to Apple's Numbers, but it can be argued that they both appeal to different spreadsheet users. Excel supports advanced charting and plotting features not available in Apple Numbers, however Apple's charts are more visually stimulating (as seen below) appealing to the more simplistic user.

3D Chart in Microsoft Excel:

3D Chart in Numbers:

Numbers makes it much easier to create spreadsheets with visual impact compared to Excel, with also the option of a wider variety of templates available when the program is first opened – a feature that lacks in Excel.

Although for overall functionality, Microsoft Excel has a multitude of pre-loaded formulas and functions. Numbers consequently lacks some of the more advanced formulas and functions of Excel, such as pivot tables. While Excel has more built-in functions, on the whole, only users who employ very advanced analytical techniques would miss these missing functions in Numbers.

Numbers has always been second to Microsoft Excel, with Microsoft appealing to a wide range of users through their Microsoft Office package, which sees more programs with more features for business and home users compared to Apple’s iWork alternative. However, Apple’s Numbers saw larger growth with the introduction of their mobile app on their popular iPhone and iPad range in 2013, allowing users to collaborate on their spreadsheet documents across a variety of their Apple platforms.

Word And Excel For Mac

The lack of mobile presence was Microsoft Excel's only downfall. With the new introduction of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earlier this year, he shortly announced after his appointment that Microsoft were in plans to move popular Microsoft Office programs, Excel, PowerPoint and Word to an app based format.

All three Microsoft apps (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) shot to number one in the App Store, leaving Apple’s Numbers with no longer the competitive edge. Previously, Numbers had appealed to both Apple users and mobile device users, but with the successful and popular Microsoft Excel now adapted specifically for smart phones and tablets, Excel will continue to dominate the spreadsheet market.

It is fair to conclude that Numbers may be hard for die-hard Excel enthusiasts to adapt to because of the difference in the Apple and Microsoft Excel user interfaces. However, it may be a better program for the casual or the home-based spreadsheet user, who requires a user friendly program with a wider variety of templates to assist their basic spreadsheet requirements. Accountants and other financial experts often choose Excel because of the versatility of the program and speed in completing complex functions and calculations, matched with the extensive list of reliable features available to the demand of the sophisticated spreadsheet user.

Spreadsheet Compare On Microsoft Excel For Macbook Pro

By Chris Kyriacou