Microsoft enables simultaneous working in Excel for Windows test version

Microsoft has put a test version of Excel online, in which it is possible to work on a spreadsheet with several people at the same time. The feature was already available in mobile versions of the business software, but not yet on the desktop.

To enable simultaneous work, a Spreadsheet must be online, for example on OneDrive or SharePoint, Microsoft reports. In addition, users must have an Office 365 subscription and be on the Fast level of the Microsoft Insider program for Office. The feature works from version 8017.1000.

Users can see if multiple people are working on a spreadsheet at the same time by clicking the icons at the top right of the screen. In addition, changes made by other users are visible within seconds. According to Microsoft, the function should prevent users from encountering a locked Excel document in a joint company account of, for example, OneDrive.

Working on spreadsheets at the same time already works in the web version of Excel and the app for Android and Windows 10 Mobile. It is not yet known when Microsoft will release the final version of Excel with the function for Windows. Typically, features in Insider previews will arrive in the stable versions within a few months.