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# Differences between Microsoft Office and OnlyOffice?

We use **OnlyOffice** to view Word and Excel files under Documents.  

The main difference between **OnlyOffice** and the classic applications **Excel** and **Word** from Microsoft lies in the way they are used and the functions they offer. Here are some key differences:

* **Excel and Word** are widely used and offer a greater number of functions, especially when it comes to complex calculations, charts or special formatting. Microsoft Office has a long history and is regularly updated with new features and security updates.
* **OnlyOffice** is ideal for real-time collaboration and offers a user-friendly, cloud-based solution that is sufficient for many standard tasks.
* **Microsoft Office (Excel and Word)** are more powerful applications that offer greater functionality and deeper integration for professional users, especially for complex tasks or working with large amounts of data.

**OnlyOffice** offers many features that are sufficient for most standard tasks, but lacks some advanced features compared to the Microsoft programs **Word** and **Excel**. Here are the main differences and features that are missing in **OnlyOffice** compared to **Word** and **Excel**:

### 1. **Advanced functions in Excel**

**Complex formulas and calculations:**
    
* **Excel** offers a huge collection of mathematical, statistical and financial functions necessary for advanced analysis, data modeling or specialized calculations. Functions such as **Power Pivot**, **Power Query** and **DAX** (Data Analysis Expressions) are missing in **OnlyOffice**.

 **Macros and VBA scripting:**
    
* **Excel** supports **VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)** for automating processes and creating user-defined functions. These automation features are missing in **OnlyOffice**, making it less suitable for advanced applications that require macros.

 **Advanced charts and pivot tables:**
    
* **Excel** offers deep pivot table integration and a variety of chart types, as well as the ability to create interactive dashboards. **OnlyOffice** has basic pivot tables and charts, but not the same depth and flexibility.

 **Data connections and business intelligence:**
    
* **Excel** offers the ability to integrate external data sources (such as databases, APIs or web data) to perform extensive BI analysis. These functions are missing in **OnlyOffice**.

### 2. **Advanced functions in Word**

**Advanced formatting and design options:**
    
* **Word** offers more advanced layout and design features, such as custom styles, advanced footnotes and endnotes, as well as deeper control over document styles and formatting. **OnlyOffice** offers basic formatting, but does not have the same level of detail and flexibility that Word offers.
 
**Document review and translation:**
    
* **Word** offers built-in **spell and grammar checking** and the ability to translate documents into different languages (using Microsoft Translator). In **OnlyOffice** the spell checker is available, but the translation and advanced correction functions are less sophisticated.

 **Special content types:**
    
* **Word** has features such as **Tables of Contents**, **Footnotes/Endnotes**, **Sources** and **Citations** that are partially or not at all available in **OnlyOffice**.

 **Forms and protected documents:**
    
* In **Word** there are extensive functions for creating forms (with embedded form fields) and for protecting documents (e.g. password-protected sections, restricting changes). **OnlyOffice** offers simple password protection options, but control over document security and form functions is limited.

### 3. **Collaboration and comments**
    
* Both **OnlyOffice** and **Microsoft 365** (online version of Word and Excel) offer real-time collaboration. However, **OnlyOffice** offers a more user-friendly interface for this feature and better integration of comments and change tracking, especially when multiple people are working on the same document at the same time.

### 4. **Access to professional templates and add-ons**

* **Word and Excel** offer a huge selection of professional templates and add-ons that speed up the creation of documents or data analysis. **OnlyOffice** offers fewer templates and add-ons.