working on Excel files through Microsoft 365 Online version

cisko65

I will be sent an Excel document to work on. I don't have the paid version of the program. Can I safely use the online version? When I send back the file will they be able to open it with their Excel program? Thanks.

Eyeful

I should think that should work OK.

1.Ask them to send a simple example for you to practice on. Then use the the on line Excel version & send the completed problem back to them. If it does not work they can tell you about it.

2. I downloaded on to my computer Libra office (its free), & it was able to open old Excel documents of mine with no trouble at all. If you do have problems with the online Excel give Libra office a try.

3. Are they going to send you the info with password protection on it or in encrypted form?  

cisko65

Eyeful said:

I should think that should work OK.

1.Ask them to send a simple example for you to practice on. Then use the the on line Excel version & send the completed problem back to them. If it does not work they can tell you about it.

2. I downloaded on to my computer Libra office (its free), & it was able to open old Excel documents of mine with no trouble at all. If you do have problems with the online Excel give Libra office a try.

3. Are they going to send you the info with password protection on it or in encrypted form?  

Thanks Eyeful. I will ask if they use the password protection or the encrypted form. 

Eyeful

I hope you know & trust the person sending you the document to work on. It might be a good idea to run the document through an online scanner to check for malware. I use Google's " Virus Total" scanner. You might like to use it:
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
 

outtatune

Eyeful said:

I hope you know & trust the person sending you the document to work on. It might be a good idea to run the document through an online scanner to check for malware. I use Google's " Virus Total" scanner. You might like to use it:
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
 

This. Don't open it if it's xlsm or xls or xlsb as they could contain macros. xlsx only.

In fact, far better for them to simply share the document from their browser view, rather than emailing an actual file.

Here's the difference between desktop and browser Excel; you should be fine.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/differences-between-using-a-workbook-in-the-browser-and-in-excel-f0dc28ed-b85d-4e1d-be6d-5878005db3b6#__functions

Ergates

The Excel file-formats have been open source for years now - so software other than Excel can handle them fine, and the online version is compatible with the standard version.

This is assuming it's just a spreadsheet with data and some formulae.

Eyeful

1. You might be interested in installing the sandbox below on your computer:
https://sandboxie-plus.com/

2. After downloading it run it through "Virus Total" to check there is no malware.

3. Open & run the sandbox, You should now be able to run any downloads safely within this sandbox. If there is any malware in the document or program you are examining, the sandbox should stop your computer getting infected.

cisko65

Eyeful said:

I hope you know & trust the person sending you the document to work on. It might be a good idea to run the document through an online scanner to check for malware. I use Google's " Virus Total" scanner. You might like to use it:
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
 

I can trust them, but will install the virustotal. Thanks!