LESSON: How do I know if I have Excel on my computer? Quick Steps to Find Excel

Where to Find Microsoft Excel

You are about to learn where to find Microsoft Excel on your computer (Windows PC, Mac / MacBook etc.) in the quickest steps possible. If you don’t have Excel, we’ll show you the steps on how to get Microsoft Excel free on our next blog post and video. After the instructions, we will also give you your lesson activity, finding Excel on your computer.  If you’re not sure whether or not you have it on your computer right now, this is the most complete guide on how to help you look for it. 

We have set up the article beginning with the fastest steps you can take to find Excel on your Computer - using keyboard shortcuts. Don’t be frightened by keyboard shortcuts. We’re teaching you Excel one small step at a time, and if you learn the best way to do it, you will be the best at using it. We will make you a practice exercise (homework) at the end of each lesson post. We want you to interact with us so we can provide the best course content for you!

If you are good with just learning the shortcut to open the program, you can learn the shortcut and skip the long versions and go straight to the learning activity. If you would like a more detailed answer on where Excel is in your files we also go into the long version for finding the Excel program on your computer and this will be broken down into categories by the type of system you are using with your computer (such as Windows 10 for example).

Let’s get started!

Two Steps to Find Excel on Your PC or Mac

1. While on your DESKTOP (just click on your computer background picture to activate it) use the shortcut keys detailed below for your computer type (Windows or Mac).
   
   WINDOWS: Push the Windows key to Open Your Search Bar
   
   MAC: Hold the Command key on your keyboard and push the letter “F” as in “Find”
   
2. A Search box should have appeared after completing step one. We want to type the word “Excel” in the search box and you should see the Excel file pop up as you are typing.
   
   WINDOWS: Start to type Excel in the search box.
   
   MAC: Be sure the icon for search “This Mac” is highlighted then start to type Excel.app in the search bar and it will show 

I FOUND EXCEL!

Now that you see the Excel icon, you can click it (or double click it) to open up Excel! It was that easy! You can now skip to the Excel Activity at the bottom of this post to cement your new training. The next lesson you will likely want to take is our blog on How to Place the Excel Icon as a Desktop or Toolbar Shortcut.

If you’re interested in finding the file path to Excel using your PC Windows version or Mac, check out the instructions under the next header, How to Locate the Excel File. 

Please let us know if you already knew these shortcuts or if you found them helpful in the comments section. We are trying to sort our lessons into categories such as Beginner and Advanced, so your feedback will help us find the cool things that you want to know about Excel. Let us know if these things are common sense, something you learned on your own, if you took a class or if a friend or colleague previously taught you. If you know better ways to do things, please feel free to share your technique with others in the comments below.

I DIDN’T FIND EXCEL!

If you did not see the Excel icon pop up in your search, you probably do not have Microsoft Excel on your computer, so you’ll want to read our next blog post on how to use Microsoft Excel for free! 

If you are pretty sure that you have it on your computer or laptop, watch the video at the top of the page once more or follow the typed instructions again slowly. If you still think you have it and are having trouble, let us know as many details as you can in the comments below.

How to Find Excel on Your PC

1. Open Your Start Menu.

2. Find the Folder for Microsoft Office and open it.

3. Click on the icon for Microsoft Excel.

How to Find Excel on Your Mac

1. Open a new Finder Window.

2. Click on Applications.

3. Click on Microsoft Excel.

Practice Activity: Find Excel on Your Computer

You have probably already done this by now, but many say that practice makes perfect. Close the Microsoft Excel application and see if you can remember the shortcut keys to open Excel quickly.

If you remembered easily, you can move on to the next lesson. If you had to think about it to make it happen, I want you to come back to this blog daily and practice until you know if by heart.

We hope you Excel and become more OP! Keep learning daily to level up in life!

-OP Influencer