Excel has some powerful features, but it's not perfect. To add to its capabilities, I use a few free add-ins that make Excel even better, and asked other people what free add-ins they use, and would recommend.
NOTE: After a recent Microsoft update, some Excel add-ins (mine and others) are not loading correctly. To show the add-ins, follow the instructions here.
Here's a list of free Excel add-ins, and I and other Excel users recommend. Maybe you'll see a few add-ins that you can download and install, and make working in Excel a bit easier.
NOTE: Please read the terms of use for these utilities, before you install them. Some are free for personal use, but might require a licence for commercial use. Also, some free add-ins might be discontinued, or change to paid versions only. If any of these are no longer free, please let me know and I will remove them from the list.
Add-In |
Developer |
Note |
Andrew Engwirda |
Tools for working with code in the VBE |
|
|
Large collection of utilities |
|
Jan Karel Pieterse |
Copies open workbooks at regular intervals |
|
Andy Pope |
Edit button images |
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Excel Contact Tools | Max Schmeling | Save time when working with contact details (e.g. that of your co-workers) in the Active Directory. Open Source |
Excel Essential Tools | Max Schmeling | Extends default functionality of Excel with more than 50 tools. Open Source |
Bill Manville |
Look for hidden links in a workbook |
|
Jan Karel Pieterse |
Search entire workbook, including buttons, etc. |
|
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Formula tools, for Excel 2010 and later |
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MenuRighter | Doug Glancy | Excel addin that lets you modify right-click menus. See the video demo in the next section. |
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Tools for working with VBA |
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Name Manager | Jan Karel Pieterse | Find names with errors and delete them, or track names that link to another workbook |
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Navigate and audit workbooks |
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Pivot Power Free | Contextures | Tools for working with Pivot Tables |
|
Find words with similar meaning |
|
Ken Puls |
Manage list of favourite files |
For an easy way to customize the right-click menu, get a copy of Doug Glancy's free Excel tool, the MenuRighter Add-in.
To see the steps for adding a command to a right-click menu, by using the free MenuRighter add-in, watch this short video.
For more instructions, and to download the MenuRighter add-in, you can visit Doug Glancy's website: MenuRighter Add-in.
For more tips and links, go to my Excel add-ins page. Topics include:
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the discussion:
Last updated: November 6, 2021 11:06 AM