Micorosft Excel
Organize data in rows and columns
Perform calculations using formulas and functions
Create charts and graphs for data visualization
Analyze data to make informed decisions
Automate repetitive tasks to save time
Let's have a look at the journey of Microsoft Excel coverd so far
Microsoft Excel - Key Benefits by Version (Windows desktop)
| Year | Version | What Came In & Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Excel 2.0 | First Windows release; introduced the now-familiar worksheet grid, pull-down menus, and basic chart engine. |
| 1990 | Excel 3.0 | Added customizable toolbars, drawing layer, 3-D charts, and workgroup add-in, making Excel more visual and collaborative. |
| 1992 | Excel 4.0 | Brought the macro recorder and dozens of new worksheet functions, letting non-programmers automate tasks. |
| 1993 | Excel 5.0 | Debuted VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and multi-sheet workbooks → serious automation and full-scale projects possible. |
| 1995 | Excel 95 | First 32-bit build for Windows 95; smoother scrolling, bigger memory space, faster recalculation. |
| 1997 | Excel 97 | Introduced PivotTables, natural-language formulas, IntelliSense tooltips, and the original “Clippy” help—huge leap in data summarization ease. |
| 1999 | Excel 2000 | HTML/XML save, Clipboard that held 24 items, and self-repairing files—better web integration and stability. |
| 2001 | Excel XP (2002) | Smart Tags, formula error checker, task pane, and speech input; first version to auto-recover work after a crash. |
| 2003 | Excel 2003 | List Range (early Excel Tables), XML map import/export, and improved PivotTables; set the stage for structured data. |
| 2007 | Excel 2007 | Ribbon UI, new .xlsx format, 1 M rows/16 K columns, Themes, enhanced conditional formatting—modern Excel is born. |
| 2010 | Excel 2010 | Multi-threaded calc engine, Sparklines, Slicers for PivotTables, Backstage view, and 64-bit build—faster analysis on big data. |
| 2013 | Excel 2013 | Flash Fill, Quick Analysis, Power View, in-memory Power Pivot, Timeline slicer—self-service BI enters the core product. |
| 2016 | Excel 2016 | Power Query native on ribbon, new chart types (Waterfall, Treemap, Sunburst), one-click forecasting, and real-time co-authoring (via 365). |
| 2019 | Excel 2019 | Functions such as TEXTJOIN, IFS, CONCAT; funnel & map charts; further PowerPivot upgrades—brings Office 365 innovations to perpetual license. |
| 2021 | Excel 2021 | Dynamic arrays (SEQUENCE, FILTER, SORT), XLOOKUP, XMATCH, LET— simplifies previously complex formulas and enables spill logic. |
| 2024 | Excel 2024* | Microsoft signals bigger AI infusion— Copilot-style suggestions, on-the-fly data classification, deeper Teams/Loop integration (still version 17.x code-base). |