Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft Corporation. Here is a brief history of Microsoft Excel:
Early Development: Microsoft Excel's roots can be traced back to the early 1970s when Doug Klunder and Ron Bracewell developed the software called "BRUNO" for the CP/M operating system. This later evolved into "VisiCalc," which was the first electronic spreadsheet software released for personal computers in 1979. |
Excel for Apple Macintosh: In 1984, Microsoft released Multiplan for the Apple Macintosh, which was a spreadsheet program. Multiplan was later replaced by Excel for Macintosh in 1985. The Mac version of Excel quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and features. |
Excel for Windows: Microsoft released Excel for Windows in 1987 as part of its Microsoft Office suite. The Windows version of Excel had more advanced features and better integration with other Microsoft Office applications, contributing to its widespread adoption in the business world. |
Ongoing Improvements: Over the years, Microsoft continued to refine and enhance Excel, adding new features, improving performance, and increasing compatibility with other software and platforms. |
Excel 2007: One of the significant milestones in Excel's history was the release of Microsoft Excel 2007, part of the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. This version introduced the new Office Open XML file formats (.xlsx, .xlsm, etc.) and a redesigned user interface with the Ribbon toolbar. |
Excel 2010 and Beyond: Subsequent versions of Excel, such as Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, and Excel 2019, brought further improvements, including enhanced data analysis capabilities, new functions, improved visualization tools, and increased integration with cloud services. |
Excel Online and Office 365: With the growing trend of cloud computing and online collaboration, Microsoft introduced Excel Online, a web-based version of Excel that allows users to work on spreadsheets directly in a web browser. Excel Online is part of Microsoft Office 365, a subscription-based service that provides access to Office applications across multiple devices. |
Excel for Mobile Devices: Microsoft also developed Excel versions for mobile devices, including Android smartphones, iPhones, iPads, and Windows tablets. These mobile versions enable users to work on their spreadsheets while on the go. |