Excel is available in a variety of versions, each of which includes a unique set of capabilities. It is essential that you are aware of the features that are at your disposal in order to achieve the highest possible level of productivity. We are here to assist you if you are having difficulty determining the version of Excel you are working with.
It might be difficult to determine the version of Excel that you are working with at times. You might be able to determine the year based on the application period, but in addition to that, you need to be aware of additional details. For instance, there are two different versions of Excel 2019 available, and which one you get depends on whether or not you have Office 365.
Versions are also essential in order to determine which patch you are currently using. Excel receives regular updates from Microsoft that address a variety of issues, including bug fixes. When you know the specific version you’re using, it’s simple to determine whether or not these updates are accessible to you.
When you have an understanding of the differences between the various versions, it is simple to determine which one you are currently dealing with. The following are some examples that will assist you in determining the version of Excel you are using. We have also included a generic approach that may be used in the majority of the application’s iterations to check the precise version number.
Excel 2019
Excel 2019 is the most up-to-date version of the program as of the time this article was written. The overall look of the product is not dissimilar to that of its predecessor. Thankfully, there are a handful of straightforward ways to differentiate between the two versions as soon as they both go live.
The fact that Excel 2019 has a consistent, green header interface is probably the first thing that will jump out at you as soon as you open the program. Excel’s toolbar, often known as the ribbon header, is where all of the program’s many functions may be found. If this bar is an unbroken shade of green, it indicates that you are using the most recent version.
Excel 2016
When it comes to spreadsheet software, Excel 2016 is still a popular choice, despite the fact that there is a more recent model available on the market. This particular version may be identified by the green ribbon that has patterns woven into the backdrop of the image. Excel 2019, which does not include any designs, has a ribbon that is significantly narrower than Excel 2016, which features designs that may be shown on the ribbon.
The “Tell me what you want to accomplish” bar is an in-built assistance function that is available in both Excel 2019 and Excel 2016. Look in the ribbon for this to get a sense of the version of Excel you are using. In all of the previous versions, the “Tell me” bar is not there, which makes these two items easier to recognize.
Excel 2013
Excel 2013, which brought a plethora of new capabilities to the product line, continues to be a dependable choice even to this day. If you look at the menu bar on your computer, you will be able to see whether or not you have this version installed.
Excel 2013 is the only version of the program that uses capital letters for the various tabs on the Ribbon. This is an interesting fact about the program. You might also have observed that the majority of the user interface is white, as opposed to the green header that is included in more current versions.
Excel 2010
Excel 2010, which is ten years old, has a design that reflects that age as well. It is immediately obvious that the program was developed for earlier computer systems since it does not conform to the contemporary, rectangular shape of Windows 10, which was introduced in that operating system. Instead, Excel 2010 has rounded corners and a gray-toned interface like Windows 7, which is a throwback to Excel 2007.
The File button is the dead giveaway in this case. It is green and has softened corners, in contrast to newer variants, which have corners that are still sharp. In addition, the button features a gradient, which is a design element that has not been carried over from Excel 2010’s predecessors.
Excel 2007
Excel veterans who are still using Excel 2007 will be able to identify the program quickly just by looking at the color palette. The primary user interface of this version of Excel is colored blue rather than white, marking a subtle but noticeable change to the product.
The File menu has also been removed and replaced with an enormous Office logo in the shape of a circle. This logo is pretty antiquated. Excel 2007 may be distinguished from earlier versions of the program because to this feature, which is very impossible to overlook.
Excel 2003
Due to the fact that Excel 2003 is very outdated at this time, this is reflected in the way that it is designed. The window takes on the appearance of the vast majority of apps designed for Windows XP. Excel’s now-standard green-and-white header and interface are completely absent from the bright blue header and interface that Excel uses.
The majority of operating systems do not longer provide compatibility for this version, despite the fact that it was a dependable release when it was first introduced. Additionally, it is missing essential functionality that Microsoft would eventually develop and implement. We strongly advise looking into upgrading your operating system and spreadsheet software by going to our online store and obtaining the most recent versions of Windows and Excel.
How to determine which version of Excel you are currently using
Follow the steps in this article if you need assistance determining the precise version number of your Excel program.
Users of Microsoft Windows
Launch the Excel program, and then go to the Account menu.
Note: If you do not see the Account option or if you already have a document open, pick File from the Ribbon, and then either Account or Help from the drop-down menu that appears.
You may learn the name of the Excel version you are using and, in certain situations, the whole version number by going to the Product Information section.
Details about the product
Excel’s Help may be accessed by selecting the About Excel link. A dialogue box that displays the complete version number as well as the bit version opens (32-bit or 64-bit).
