Excel on the web has a new look and some nifty extra features like better ways to arrange rows/columns – move, resize, insert. A clever Freeze Pane option too. Some of these we’d love to see in desktop Excel.
Overall, the web version of the Office apps now look more like the modern desktop apps with a mostly gray look and touches of the app color (Green for Excel).
All the images in this article are from Microsoft but we’ve cropped them to better focus on the innovations.
Move rows/columns with Drag and drop
Excel on the web can more easily move rows or columns with a simple drag and drop.
Microsoft: please add this to Excel desktop apps without delay!
Resize rows and columns
Resizing now works the same as in Excel desktop. Drag a row/column edge to resize. Select multiple rows/columns then resize one and all the selection will change to that size.
Insert rows and columns
Adding columns and rows is now a little like the Word table method with a little circled + to insert.
Freeze Panes
Another feature they could add to Excel desktop. Change the Freeze Panes borders by dragging the lines themselves. The View | Freeze Pane menu options are still there.
Unhide with a click
Hidden rows or columns can be too hidden, Excel on the web makes it easier to unhide them with a better visual clue to click.
Highlighting cells
Microsoft lists this as a new feature but we’re not sure that changing the look of a selection counts as an innovation. Surely it’s “Interface 101” to show what’s been selected?
Who gets it?
All these changes are being pushed out to Excel in a browser now. If it’s not appearing in your browser, check back later.
