Excel for Mac vs Windows: Which Version is Better for You?

Microsoft Excel is an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike, known for its powerful data processing and analysis capabilities. However, depending on whether you’re using a Mac or a Windows PC, your Excel experience may differ significantly. While both versions share many core features, there are distinct differences that can impact your productivity and how you use the software.

This article will take you through the main differences between Excel for Mac and Excel for Windows, helping you determine which version best suits your needs. We will cover various functionalities such as form controls, power pivots, and VBA codes, and how each version supports business intelligence.

Mac vs Windows: Which Operating Systems Do Businesses Prefer?

Most businesses, particularly in industries such as finance, IT, and data analysis, prefer Windows PCs due to their compatibility with various enterprise applications, including Microsoft Excel. On the other hand, Mac computers are more common in creative industries like graphic design, video production, and marketing.

Despite these preferences, Excel remains an integral part of both operating systems. Whether you use a Mac or a Windows machine, Excel is likely a crucial tool for organizing data, running calculations, and analyzing business information.

Is There a "Better" Version of Excel?

While Excel for Mac and Excel for Windows share many similarities, the Windows version offers several advantages in terms of functionality, performance, and flexibility. For power users—those who rely heavily on macros, advanced formulas, and data manipulation—the Windows version is generally the better option.

That said, if your tasks are more basic or if you don’t require advanced features like VBA coding or Power Pivot, the Mac version can be a solid choice.

Why Microsoft Focuses More on Excel for Windows

Microsoft Excel is part of the Microsoft Office suite, developed primarily for Windows, which is also a Microsoft product. Because of this, Microsoft tends to prioritize updates and new features for Excel on Windows before rolling them out to the Mac version.

While Excel for Mac is a capable tool, Mac users often find that certain advanced functionalities are missing or limited. Windows users benefit from quicker bug fixes, new feature releases, and overall better support from Microsoft.

Key Differences Between Excel for Mac and Excel for Windows

1. Form Controls and Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

One of the more noticeable limitations in Excel for Mac is the lack of customization in the Quick Access Toolbar. Windows users can easily export their custom toolbars to use across different workbooks, making navigation faster and more efficient. Mac users, however, need to rebuild their toolbar each time they open a new workbook.

Form controls, which allow users to insert buttons, checkboxes, and dropdown lists into Excel sheets, are also more user-friendly on Windows. On Mac, these controls can be clunky and less intuitive to use.

2. Power Pivot

Power Pivot is a key feature for business intelligence professionals who need to work with large datasets and perform complex data modeling. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in Excel for Mac.

Power Pivot allows users to import millions of rows of data, create relationships between datasets, and build PivotTables and PivotCharts for deeper analysis. While you can open a file with a Power Pivot model on a Mac, you won’t have access to the full functionality, making it difficult to perform detailed analyses.

3. Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts

Pivot Tables are one of Excel’s most powerful features, available on both Windows and Mac versions. They allow users to quickly summarize and analyze large datasets. However, the Mac version lacks support for Pivot Charts, which enable users to create interactive charts based on their Pivot Table data.

This can be a significant drawback for users who rely on visualizing their data through interactive charts.

4. VBA Code (Visual Basic for Applications)

VBA is a programming language integrated into Excel, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks, create custom functions, and manage user forms. While both Excel for Mac and Windows support VBA, the Mac version has limitations in terms of functionality.

Some VBA functions that work seamlessly on Windows do not run properly on Mac, and you cannot export VBA projects from Mac as easily as you can from Windows.

5. User Forms

User forms provide an efficient way to gather data from users and manage inputs within a workbook. While Windows Excel allows users to create and edit user forms using VBA, the Mac version does not support the creation or modification of user forms. Mac users can view user forms created on Windows but cannot interact with them fully.

6. Data Connectivity

When it comes to importing and connecting data from various sources, Excel for Windows has a clear advantage. Windows users can import data from a wider range of formats, including PDF, XML, JSON, and more.

Excel for Mac, on the other hand, is limited to importing data from ODBC, SQL, HTML, text, and basic database formats. This limitation can hinder Mac users when they need to pull data from diverse sources for analysis.

7. ActiveX Controls

ActiveX controls are another feature that’s missing in Excel for Mac. These controls are used in Windows to create interactive forms and automate user inputs. While they’re not as commonly used as other features, they can be useful in certain scenarios, especially for advanced Excel users.

8. Watch Window

Excel for Windows includes a Watch Window feature, allowing users to monitor the values of cells across different worksheets in real-time. This is particularly useful when working on complex workbooks with multiple linked sheets. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in Excel for Mac.

9. Autosave

While both Excel for Mac and Windows have autosave functionality, the Windows version is more robust. Autosave in Windows can automatically save versions of your workbook at regular intervals, ensuring you don’t lose progress. Mac users, however, don’t have access to the same level of autosave support.

10. Multi-Item Clipboard

Excel for Windows users can copy and paste multiple items at once using the Multi-Item Clipboard feature. This speeds up data entry and reduces repetitive actions. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in Excel for Mac.

11. Visual Effects

Excel for Windows includes a range of visual effects such as customized color schemes, font sets, and live previews of formatting changes. Mac users, however, are restricted to using predefined color and font schemes without the ability to customize them as extensively.

12. Redo Drop-Down Menu

In Windows Excel, users have access to both an Undo and Redo drop-down menu, allowing for easier revision of multiple changes at once. Mac Excel only offers the Undo drop-down, which limits its usefulness when managing large datasets.

13. Forecast Sheets

Forecasting is a valuable tool in Excel that allows users to predict trends and analyze seasonal data. While this feature is fully supported in the Windows version, Mac Excel users won’t have access to the Forecast Sheets functionality.

Where to Buy Excel for Mac and Windows

Excel is available for purchase directly from Microsoft, but it can be pricey. The Microsoft Office suite is available for Windows and Mac starting at $149.99 for the Home & Student edition. Alternatively, you can buy Office keys from third-party sites like RoyalCDKeys for much lower prices.

At RoyalCDKeys, you can find Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus or Office 2019 for Mac at prices as low as $15, offering you substantial savings compared to buying directly from Microsoft.

Conclusion

While Excel for Mac is a powerful tool, it lags behind the Windows version in terms of functionality and features. Power users and those who require advanced data analysis tools will find the Windows version to be far superior. However, for basic tasks like data entry, simple calculations, and chart creation, Excel for Mac performs well enough.

If you need to make use of advanced Excel features like Power Pivot, user forms, and extensive data connectivity, the Windows version is the clear choice. If you’re a casual user or prefer the macOS ecosystem, the Mac version can still meet your needs.

If you're looking to get the best deal on Windows 11, consider purchasing from RoyalCDKeys, where you can find affordable and reliable licenses.

Source: https://royalcdkeys.com/blogs/news/excel-for-mac-vs-windows-the-programs-comparison

If you're looking to master Excel, be sure to read our article 'Excel Mastery: From Novice to Expert in One Comprehensive Guide,' where we provide step-by-step instructions and advanced tips to help you become an Excel expert.