Should I edit my Excel document online or offline?

If you have Microsoft Office and OneDrive for Windows installed on your local computer, you actually have 3 options to edit your Excel documents stored in OneDrive.

1. Edit Excel documents with Excel Online in a Web browser - The Excel document will be opened in the browser. All changes are done in the browser and saved immediately to the OneDrive cloud storage.

The main advantage of editing Excel documents in browsers is no need to have Microsoft Office or OneDrive for Windows installed. But editing functionalities are limited and performance is not very good.

Data communication is done by the Web browser using the HTTP protocol.

2. Edit Excel documents with Excel desktop - The Excel document will be opened in the Excel desktop app. All changes are saved immediately back to the OneDrive cloud storage.

The main advantage of editing Excel documents online in Excel desktop app is that you have the full functionalities of the Excel desktop app. But you need to purchase Microsoft Excel, install it and stay connected to the Internet.

Data communication is done by the Excel desktop app using the Url:Excel protocol.

3. Edit Excel documents offline with Excel desktop app and sync with the online copy with OneDrive for Windows. The Excel document will be transferred to the local OneDrive folder, then opened in the Excel desktop app. All changes are saved to the local copy first, then synced with the online copy.

The main advantage of editing Excel documents offline in Excel desktop app is that you do not need to be connected to the Internet all the time. OneDrive for Windows will sync up with the online copy when you are connected later.

Data communication is done by the OneDrive for Windows.

⇒ What Is Microsoft Excel Online App

⇐ Managing Excel Documents

⇑ Managing Excel Documents

⇑⇑ Office 365 - Frequently Asked Questions