Excel 2016 vs Excel 2013

Excel 2016

Microsoft Excel 2016, part of Microsoft Office, is a powerful spreadsheet program that has become a standard tool for data analysis. The recognisable grid interface in Excel 2016, which arranges data into rows and columns, is retained. Data entry in Excel 2016 is user-friendly, supporting various data types such as text. Users can extend Excel's functionality through add-ins, which provide additional features and tools.

Users can password-protect sheets and workbooks and can control access to specific cells. Excel 2016's collaboration capabilities let numerous people collaborate on a spreadsheet at once. A comprehensive collection of tools is available in Excel 2016 for making graphs and charts that visually depict data. PivotTables, a powerful feature in Excel, enables users to summarize and analyze large datasets quickly. Excel's strength lies in its ability to perform calculations using formulas and functions. Excel 2016 enhanced its data analysis capabilities with the inclusion of forecasting tools. Excel 2016 introduced several enhancements to its charting capabilities. Excel 2016 integrates seamlessly with Power BI, Microsoft's business analytics service.

Excel 2013

Microsoft Excel 2013, released as part of the Microsoft Office 2013 suite, is a powerful spreadsheet program that has become a standard tool for data analysis. Excel 2013 continued with the Ribbon interface introduced in Excel 2007, providing a tabbed toolbar at the top of the window. Flash Fill is a feature that Excel 2013 introduced. It fills in values automatically by identifying patterns in adjacent columns. The Quick Analysis Lens allows users to explore data trends by hovering over the options presented in the Quick Analysis tool.

The Quick Formula Bar enhances formula creation by providing a dynamic drop-down menu with suggested functions as users type.Power View, a data visualisation tool that lets users build dynamic reports and dashboards, was introduced in Excel 2013. Excel 2013 improved the Recommended Charts feature, offering more accurate suggestions based on the data being visualized.

Differences between Excel 2016 and Excel 2013

The various difference between the version Excel 2016 and Excel 2013 are as follows:

Charts and Graphs

• Continued support for combo charts is present in Excel 2016, allowing users to combine different chart types on a single chart.
• Excel 2016 improved the chart formatting tools, giving users more flexibility over how graphs and charts look.
• Excel 2013, had chart formatting options, but excel 2016 likely offered more advanced controls and a smoother user experience.
• Excel 2016, introduced the 3D Maps feature, also known as Power Map.
• Excel 2013 did not have the 3D Maps feature.

Automation and Customization

• In Excel 2013, they introduced the concept of Apps for Office, allowing users to extend Excel's functionality with third-party applications available from the Office Store.
• They also Improved the Fill Handle with options in Excel 2013 like Fill Formatting Only and Fill Without Formatting, giving users more control over how data is filled and copied.
• But in Excel 2016, they introduced the "Tell Me"Assistant, a natural language query tool that helps users find the commands and features they need.
• In Excel 2016, enhanced Power Query integration for data connectivity and transformation.

Data Analysis

• PivotTables are a feature of Excel 2013 and Excel 2016, enabling users to dynamically and interactively summarize and analyze data.
• Data tables in both Excel 2013 and Excel 2016 allow users to perform "What-If" analysis by changing input values and observing the impact on calculated results.Excel 2013 and Excel 2016 both have data validation capabilities that let users limit and regulate the kinds of data that can be inserted into cells.
• Excel 2016 introduced new forecasting tools that allow users to create predictive models based on historical data, providing insights into future trends.
• Excel 2016 also introduced Power Query as an integrated feature, enabling users to connect to and transform data from various sources.
• Both versions of Excel provide a wide range of functions and formulas for data analysis.

Security and Protection

• Microsoft Excel 2016 and Excel 2013, both integral components of the Microsoft Office suite, exhibit similarities and yet also differences.
• Security in Excel 2016 and Excel 2013 is multi-faceted, covering aspects from document encryption to protection against external threats.
• Beyond password protection, Excel 2016 introduces Data Loss Prevention (DLP) features, a notable departure from Excel 2013.
• In the domain of collaboration and cloud integration, both Excel 2016 and Excel 2013 have integrated features that enhance secure sharing and collaboration.
• Excel 2016 extends its reach into cloud-based collaboration through enhanced integration with OneDrive.