How to open Excel file on iPhone and iPad?

Mobile devices are now more powerful than before, but they're still not perfect. On an iPhone, you can preview a spreadsheet attached to an email without the need for another application, but there's no guarantee that it will appear exactly as the sender intended.

Sometimes, you still need a dedicated tool to get the job done. If you want to open Excel files on your iPhone or iPad, fortunately, there are a number of different applications that can open spreadsheets and allow you to make necessary edits. Let's explore these applications through the following article.

1. Open the worksheet as an email attachment on iOS

Android users have many ways to transfer files from their devices, but with iOS it's not easy. However, it is still relatively simple to open the documents sent to you as an email attachment.

Simply open the attachment from the Mail app itself, then press the button in the lower right corner of the screen. This will show you some advanced options. Scroll to the middle of the icon bar to find the desired application. You will be able to enter content into your selected editor.

Of course, the application itself provides some other methods to open open files. The examples in this article even support storing files in the cloud. This is just a quick and easy way to receive and open spreadsheets from other users on iOS.

2. Microsoft Excel

Most of the sheets you are trying to view are created in Excel, so why not use the same program for true compatibility?

Microsoft has no secret of its intention to bring mobile phones closer to the desktop experience with the release of Windows 10 , and many improvements have been made to the Office suite as part of this effort. Although the previous mobile applications are very limited compared to the desktop version, the current Excel application for iOS and Android is very powerful.

However, one caveat is that while the application itself is free, its capabilities depend on the type of Office package you have access to. Basic functionality is available to all users, but more advanced features require an active Office 365 membership .

Download Excel for iOS

3. Google Sheets

Speaking of Office's free competitors, no one really can compare to Google. The company's services are available on all platforms, including a potential web-based application, making them easily accessible. Moreover, their collaboration options are on par with Microsoft products.

The Google Sheets app is a spreadsheet viewer and editor with many capabilities on smartphones and tablets. To a greater degree than the Excel application, its functionality has been designed to suit usage on a smaller screen size. This is especially useful if you are using a phone.

The biggest benefit of using Google Sheets is its close association with Google's broader ecosystem. It's easy to access files from your Drive and share spreadsheets with other users. Many users can even work together in the same spreadsheet.

Download Google Sheets for iOS

4. Citrix QuickEdit

Although Citrix is ​​not a name that can compete with the level of Microsoft and Google, the business communications giant has proven its ingenuity for a workplace with QuickEdit. This software allows you to view and edit Excel spreadsheets for free, and its sophisticated interface may suit some users better than the other applications above.

QuickEdit dedicates as much screen space as possible to the spreadsheet itself. To enable this, minimalistic icons provide easy access to many functions. The button in the upper right corner ensures the keyboard is always accessible. Meanwhile, a small toolbar pops up at the bottom of the screen that contains quick links to formatting, saving and loading operations, and a host of other essentials.

The biggest downside of the application is its external appearance. Spreadsheets do not look attractive compared to other applications. However, they are completely clear and easy to read.

Download QuickEdit for iOS

Above are some applications that allow you to open and edit Excel files on your iPhone or iPad. While these tools may not be as functional as the desktop version, what they provide is too great to use on mobile devices.