Need to track figures, calculate totals, or turn a table into a chart? Microsoft Excel 2016 organizes that work in worksheets, where formulas, formatting, and analysis tools can be applied to rows and columns of data.
Formulas calculate results from worksheet data
Enter values in cells and use formulas to calculate totals, averages, or conditional results. Functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and IF cover common calculations; formulas can also refer to values in other cells, so results update when the underlying entries change.
Formatting tools can highlight values with conditional formatting, while sorting and filters help narrow a table to particular records. Data validation can limit what people enter in selected cells, such as by providing a dropdown list.
PivotTables reorganize and summarize tables
A PivotTable groups and summarizes rows by fields such as category, date, or region. Moving fields between rows, columns, and values changes the view of the same source data, making it easier to compare subtotals without building a separate worksheet for each arrangement.
Charts turn selected worksheet data into visual comparisons. Excel also includes templates for common starting points such as budgets and calendars, which can be adapted by replacing example entries with a user's own information.
Macros and workbook formats support repeat tasks
For repeated steps, Excel's Visual Basic for Applications editor supports creating and editing macros. A macro can run a recorded or programmed sequence of actions, while formulas handle calculations that need to update as cell values change.
Excel 2016 introduced Forecast Sheet, built-in Power Query (Get & Transform) for importing and cleaning data, and new chart types such as waterfall, histogram and treemap. Save workbooks in XLSX or the older XLS format. The Ribbon can be customized to keep favorite commands at hand. Microsoft ended support for Excel 2016 on October 14, 2025, so it no longer receives security updates and lacks newer functions such as XLOOKUP and dynamic arrays.
Pros
- PivotTables summarize and reorganize worksheet data
- Formulas include functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and IF
- VBA macros automate repetitive spreadsheet tasks
- Workbooks support XLSX and XLS formats
Cons
- Support ended October 14, 2025; no security updates
- Lacks XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays and other newer functions
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
What is a PivotTable used for in Excel 2016?
It groups and summarizes worksheet records, letting users rearrange fields to compare categories and totals.
Can Excel 2016 automate repeated spreadsheet steps?
Yes. Macros created or edited in the Visual Basic for Applications editor can automate sequences of actions.
Which workbook formats does Excel 2016 support?
It supports XLSX and XLS workbooks.