The days of Microsoft Office’s Excel dominating the field of bookkeeping are long behind us. But if you are buying a new computer or laptop, it can be tempting to check the box to have it installed automatically. But there are alternatives which are simple, easy to use, and best of all: free. To learn more, have a look at these free alternatives to Microsoft Excel below for bookkeepers or anyone interested in saving a few hundred dollars.
- Open Office – This is one of the main and best competitors to Microsoft Office. Developed by Apache, they offer Open Office Calc as an alternative to Microsoft Excel. They also offer programs to replace other MS options such as Word or PowerPoint. The downside is that it doesn’t offer the bells and whistles of Excel and can be slow to load if you choose to download all of their programs.
- Google Spreadsheets – Need a simple and easy alternative to Excel? Then check out mega web giant Google’s alternative. You can begin making spreadsheets of your own with just a few clicks. The upside includes the ability to share and collaborate on the spreadsheet over the web. The downside is also its lack of bookkeeping bells and whistles.
- Edit Grid – If you need an Excel alternative with some bulk to it for accounting or bookkeeping purposes, check this option out. You can program tons of complex equations and calculations for Edit Grid to do. It also offers an online sharing and collaborative feature.
- Lotus Symphony – Need to use charts and graphs in your spreadsheet making? Then check out this Excel alternative. It also offers the ability to create your own templates which can be useful for bookkeepers using the same spreadsheets for different clients. Made by IBM, it is available for Windows, Mac, or even Linux.
- Skydrive – Still need to have Microsoft Excel? There’s a way around it. Skydrive is Microsoft’s very own way to give users an online storage base. All you have to do is save your Excel compatible documents on your Skydrive after you create a free account, and open them, edit them, and more on Skydrive’s Microsoft Excel Web App. Best of all, if you have a Hotmail or MSN email address, you already have a Skydrive account.
Got your spreadsheets all ready but need a bookkeeper to have a look? Give us a call at (281) 894-6494 if you are in need of a Houston accountant.
