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Feature Comparison Between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel

3 mins read

🧾 Introduction

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet is a powerful Excel-inspired web control for data editing, formatting, analysis, and visualization. It mirrors many features from Microsoft Excel, making it suitable for enterprise-grade applications.This article presents a detailed feature comparison of Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel, along with documentation links and specific feature limitations. This helps developers and users understand capabilities, decide suitability for use cases, and avoid potential miscommunication.

📋 Feature Comparison: Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet vs Microsoft Excel

📁 File Format Support

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet component provides robust support for importing and exporting various file formats to handle Excel-like data processing in web applications.

📥 Import File Formats

The Import functionality allows loading external Excel files into the Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet while preserving the document’s original data, styles, number formats, conditional formats, formulas, and more. This ensures users can continue working with their Excel files inside a web-based environment without significant loss of content or formatting. To enable importing, set the allowOpen property to true and configure the openUrl service endpoint where files will be processed. The table below compares the supported import file formats between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Format Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
XLSX Excel Open XML format ✅ ✅
XLS Older binary Excel format ✅ ✅
CSV Comma-separated values ✅ ✅
XLSM Macro-enabled Excel workbook ✅ ✅
XLSB Binary workbook format ✅ ✅
JSON JavaScript Object Notation ✅ ✅
HTML Web-based table data ❌ ✅
PDF Portable Document Format ❌ ✅
TXT Plain text file ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

💾 Export File Formats

The Export functionality in the Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet allows users to save the current spreadsheet data along with styles, number formats, conditional formats, and formulas into downloadable Excel documents. This enables seamless data portability, backup, sharing, or offline access to spreadsheet content created or modified inside the web application. To enable exporting, set the allowSave property to true and configure the saveUrl service endpoint where the spreadsheet file will be processed and returned for download. The table below compares the supported export file formats between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Format Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
XLSX Default Excel format ✅ ✅
XLS Excel 97–2003 format ✅ ✅
CSV Plain text with commas ✅ ✅
PDF Export to printable format ✅ ✅
HTML Requires manual customization for exporting ⚠️ ✅
JSON JavaScript structured data export ✅ ✅
TSV Tab-separated values format ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

⚙️ Performance

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet supports large datasets and smooth scrolling similar to Excel. The table below compares the performance-related features between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Large Dataset Handling Capable of efficiently loading and managing over 1 million rows. ✅ ✅
Virtual Scrolling Renders only visible cells to enhance performance for large datasets. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🔗 Data Binding

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet component provides comprehensive data binding capabilities through the DataManager component, supporting both RESTful JSON data services and local JavaScript object array binding to spreadsheet ranges. The dataSource property can be assigned either with a DataManager instance for remote data or a JavaScript object array for local data. This feature comparison highlights how these capabilities measure against Microsoft Excel’s data integration options.

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Bind Remote Data Load data from APIs, databases, or RESTful JSON services using DataManager. ✅ ✅
Binding to JSON Data Bind local JavaScript object arrays directly to a spreadsheet range. ✅ ✅
Cell-Level Binding Map and update individual cells dynamically from bound data sources. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

➕ Formulas & Custom Functions

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet supports Excel-like formulas for calculations and data analysis, including cell references across worksheets. While it covers essential functions similar to Microsoft Excel, there are differences in advanced formula support. Below is a detailed comparison of formula capabilities between Syncfusion and Microsoft Excel.

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Basic and Commonly Used Formulas Includes common functions like SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, etc. ✅ ✅
Advanced Formulas Includes financial, statistical, and array functions. ❌ ✅
Custom Formula Support Ability to create and register custom logic functions. ✅ ✅
Manual Calculation Option Control when formulas recalculate ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🔢 Sorting

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet provides data sorting capabilities to organize cell ranges in ascending, descending, or custom orders. Sorting is enabled by setting the allowSorting property, similar to Microsoft Excel’s functionality but with some differences in advanced features. Below is a detailed comparison of sorting capabilities between both applications.

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Sort by Value Arrange data in ascending or descending order ✅ ✅
Sort by Color Sort based on cell or font color ❌ ✅
Custom Sort Sort using multiple criteria or levels ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🔍 Filtering

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet provides data filtering capabilities to display only rows that meet specific criteria, similar to Microsoft Excel. Filtering is enabled by setting the allowFiltering property, allowing users to focus on relevant data while hiding other rows. Below is a detailed comparison of filtering capabilities between both applications.

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Filter by Value Filter based on cell values ✅ ✅
Filter by Color Filter based on font/background color ❌ ✅
Filter by Condition (Custom) Apply logical conditions or criteria ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🖱️ Cell and Range Interaction

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet provides comprehensive cell and range interaction capabilities through configurable selection modes (Single, Multiple, or None via selectionSettings), keyboard navigation shortcuts identical to Excel, and Go To functionality for direct cell addressing. Below is the feature comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Selection Select cells, rows, or columns via mouse, touch, or keyboard ✅ ✅
Cell Navigation Navigate between cells using arrow keys, Home, End, etc. ✅ ✅
Go To Jump to a specific cell or address ✅ ✅
Discontinuous Selection Select multiple ranges using Ctrl key ⚠️ Only selection works; formatting is limited ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🎨 Cell and Number Formatting

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet provides robust formatting capabilities through configurable properties (allowCellFormatting and allowNumberFormatting), enabling visual enhancement of cells similar to Microsoft Excel. Below is the detailed feature comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Style (Fonts/Alignments) Supports font styling, borders, alignment, and indentation. ✅ ✅
Default Number Formatting Format numbers as currency, date, time, etc. ✅ ✅
Custom Number Formatting Define custom number formats ⚠️ Complex Excel formats may not work ✅
Inline Styles Apply style to individual characters inside a cell ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🌈 Conditional Formatting

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet provides conditional formatting capabilities through the allowConditionalFormat property, enabling visual highlighting of cells based on specified conditions. While it covers basic formatting rules and visual styles, some advanced Excel features are not supported. Below is the detailed comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Basic Conditional Formatting Apply rules like Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To, etc. ✅ ✅
Color Scales, Data Bars, Icon Sets Visual styling based on value distribution ✅ (Color gradients may vary) ✅
Custom Styles and Formatting Customize font, borders, background within conditions ✅ ✅
Custom Formula-Based Conditional Formatting Apply custom logic for formatting ❌ ✅
Manage Rules Option Interface for managing conditional rules ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🧩 Additional Cell Formatting

The Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet provides several formatting options to organize and annotate content, each controlled by specific properties. Below is how these features compare with Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Merge Cells Combine two or more cells into one ✅ ✅
Hyperlinks Create links to URLs, files, or internal cells ✅ ✅
Wrap Text Display content on multiple lines within a cell ✅ ✅
Notes Add static comments or annotations to cells ✅ ✅
Auto Suggestion Suggest previously typed values while entering data ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

📝 Data Input and Manipulation

The Data Input and Manipulation features allow users to modify cell contents directly within the spreadsheet. In Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet, users can edit cells either through in-cell editing or via the formula bar, and selectively clear cell contents, formats, or both. The table below compares the data input and manipulation capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Editing Add, edit, or remove cell contents directly or via formula bar ✅ ✅
Clear Contents Remove cell values, formulas, formats, or comments ✅ ✅
Real-Time Data Updates Refresh data dynamically without reloading the entire sheet ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

📋 Clipboard Operations

Clipboard operations allow users to cut, copy, and paste data within the spreadsheet or between external applications. You can enable or disable clipboard functionality by setting the enableClipboard property. Copying to and pasting from external applications is supported through standard keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V). The table below compares the clipboard operation capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Cut/Copy Paste Values Move or duplicate raw data between cells ✅ ✅
Cut/Copy Paste Formats Retain cell formatting during paste ✅ ✅
Cut/Copy Paste Charts/Images Copy and paste images or chart objects ✅ ✅
External Copy Paste Copy to or paste from external applications ✅ (Keyboard shortcuts only - Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V) ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🔁 AutoFill

AutoFill automates the process of filling adjacent cells based on existing patterns, such as sequences of numbers, dates, or formulas, reducing repetitive data entry. In Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet, AutoFill can be enabled using the allowAutoFill property. It automatically detects patterns from adjacent cells and supports basic series filling. Additional options like showing fill controls (showFillOptions) and customizing fill behavior (fillType) are available via autoFillSettings. The table below compares AutoFill capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Basic AutoFill (Copy Cells) Drag to copy cell content across adjacent cells ✅ ✅
Fill Series Automatically extend series like 1, 2, 3, 4… ✅ ✅
Fill With/Without Formatting Option to copy data only or along with format ⚠️ Limited for Date types (No Fill Month/Year options) ✅
AutoFill Formulas Extend formulas across ranges ✅ ✅
Flash Fill Auto-detect patterns and auto-complete ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🔎 Find and Replace

Find and replace helps you to search for the target text and replace the found text with alternative text within the sheet or workbook. The table below compares find and replace capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Basic Find and Replace Find or replace text values across the entire workbook (not limited to selected ranges). ✅ ✅
Find and Replace with Match Case & Match Whole Cell Perform case-sensitive and whole cell matching during search. ✅ ✅
Find and Replace in Formulas, Notes Locate and replace text inside formulas or notes. ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🛡️ Data Validation

Data validation ensures that only valid, predefined types of data can be entered into specific cells, maintaining data accuracy and consistency. The table below compares the data validation capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Basic Data Validation Validate Whole Number, Decimal, Date, List, etc. ✅ ✅
Custom Formula-Based Validation Apply custom formulas for validation rules. ✅ ✅
Error Alerts (Stop, Warning, Information) Display standard error alerts on invalid data entry. ✅ ✅
Data Validation with Custom Error Messages Show fully customized error alert messages. ❌ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

📏 Row and Column Management

Row and column management features allow users to dynamically organize, modify, and optimize the spreadsheet structure by inserting, deleting, resizing, hiding, or showing rows and columns. In Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet, rows and columns can be inserted or deleted using the allowInsert and allowDelete properties. You can manually adjust the size of rows and columns, autofit them based on content, and show or hide specific rows or columns through property binding or context menus. The tables below compare the row, column, and sheet management capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

➕ Insert and Delete Operations
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Insert/Delete Rows Add or remove entire rows. ✅ ✅
Insert/Delete Columns Add or remove entire columns. (Conditional formatting is auto-applied to new columns, unlike Excel) ✅ ✅
Insert/Delete Cells Add or remove specific cells, shifting surrounding cells accordingly. ❌ ✅
Insert/Delete Sheets Add or delete entire worksheets. ✅ ✅
📐 Resize and Autofit
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Resize Row/Column Adjust row height or column width manually. ✅ ✅
Autofit Row/Column Auto-resize to fit cell content. ✅ ✅
👁️ Show and Hide
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Show/Hide Rows Toggle the visibility of rows. ✅ ✅
Show/Hide Columns Toggle the visibility of columns. ✅ ✅
🔗 Grouping
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Row Grouping Expand or collapse groups of rows for easier data management. ❌ ✅
Column Grouping Expand or collapse groups of columns. ❌ ✅
🗂️ Sheet Management

Sheet Management allows controlling the visibility and organization of worksheets within a workbook.

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Sheet Visibility (Visible/Hidden) Hide or show entire worksheets without deleting them. ✅ ✅
Insert/Delete Sheets Add or remove entire sheets dynamically. ✅ ✅
🔒 Protection

Protection features secure workbook structure, worksheets, or specific ranges from unauthorized edits.

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Protect Workbook Prevent changes to the workbook structure (like adding/deleting sheets). ✅ ✅
Protect Sheet Restrict editing actions at sheet level (lock/unlock cells). ✅ ✅
Protect Range Lock only specific ranges or cells. ✅ ✅
Password Protection Add password authentication for sheets/workbooks. ✅ ✅
Read-only Mode Make workbook or worksheet read-only to prevent changes. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

Data Analysis and Visualization

Data analysis and visualization features help users represent spreadsheet data graphically, making it easier to interpret large datasets and uncover insights. In Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet, charts can be created from selected data ranges to visually depict values across x-axis and y-axis. Chart functionality can be enabled using the allowChart property. Additionally, users can insert images into sheets to enhance the visual appeal of data presentations. The tables below compare data visualization and analysis features between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

📈 Charts and Customization Options
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Basic Chart Support (Column, Line, Pie, Bar, etc.) Insert basic types of charts to represent data. ✅ ✅
Advanced Charts (Bubble, Stock, Radar, etc.) Insert advanced chart types. ❌ ✅
Customizable Colors and Themes Theme-based color customizations for charts. (Theme customization only, not full chart style customization) ✅ ✅
Data Labels, Axis Titles, Legends Add descriptive text like axis titles, legends, and data labels to charts for clarity. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🖼️ Image Support
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Image Insertion Insert and manage images inside spreadsheets to enhance data presentations. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

📊 Other Data Analysis Features
Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Pivot Tables A PivotTable in Excel is a powerful data analysis tool that helps summarize, analyze, and organize large datasets quickly. It allows users to rearrange, group, and filter data dynamically without altering the original dataset. ❌ ✅
Power Query Import, transform, and analyze data from various sources with advanced data transformation capabilities. ❌ ✅
Power Pivot Create data models, perform advanced calculations, and analyze large datasets efficiently. ❌ ✅
Statistical Analysis Includes advanced statistical functions and analysis tools such as regression analysis, correlation, and hypothesis testing. ❌ ✅
Data Tables (What-If Analysis) Perform what-if analysis, scenario analysis, and sensitivity analysis to explore different outcomes. ❌ ✅
Macros and VBA Support Use Macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for automation, custom functions, and integration with other applications. ❌ ✅

🎨 Customization Options

The Customization Options in Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet enable developers to tailor the spreadsheet’s UI and functionality to specific requirements. Users can customize the ribbon interface, apply templates to cells, and modify the overall theme. The table below compares these customization capabilities between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Ribbon Customization Allows users to customize the ribbon interface by adding, removing, or hiding ribbon tabs and toolbar items. ✅ ✅
Templates Insert custom HTML templates into the Spreadsheet to add controls and custom content. ✅ ✅
Theme and Style Options Apply different themes and styles to match branding requirements. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

👥 Collaboration and Review

The collaboration and review features enable team-based spreadsheet editing and feedback. While Microsoft Excel offers robust co-authoring and commenting tools, Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet currently focuses on single-user scenarios. Below is the detailed comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel Docs
Real-Time Collaboration Multiple users edit the sheet simultaneously ❌ ✅ —
Comments Enhance real-time collaboration with the Comments feature in the Spreadsheet component. Users can add, edit, reply to, and delete comments within cells, making it easier to provide feedback, clarify data, and discuss changes directly in the spreadsheet. ❌ ✅ —

♿ Accessibility and Usability

The accessibility and usability features in Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet ensure compliance with accessibility standards and provide optimized interaction modes for all users. Below is how these capabilities compare with Microsoft Excel:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Accessibility Compliance Meets ADA, Section 508, and WCAG 2.2 guidelines for accessibility. ✅ ✅
Keyboard Shortcuts Navigate and perform spreadsheet actions using keyboard-only input for better accessibility. ✅ ✅
Touch-Friendly Interactions Provide a smooth user experience on touch devices and tablets. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🌎 Globalization and Localization

The globalization and localization features in Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet enable multilingual support and culture-specific formatting, matching Microsoft Excel’s internationalization capabilities. Below is the detailed comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Localization Allowing users to choose from a wide range of languages for the user interface. ✅ ✅
Internationalization Format numbers, dates, and times based on locale. ✅ ✅
Culture-Based Formatting Support culture-specific separators, symbols, and formats. ✅ ✅
RTL (Right-to-Left) Support Support right-to-left languages like Arabic, Hebrew. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🌐 Browser and Platform Compatibility

The browser and platform compatibility features ensure the Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet works across modern browsers and devices, matching Microsoft Excel’s cross-platform capabilities. Below is the detailed comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Cross-Browser Compatibility Works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and other major browsers. ✅ ✅
Mobile Support Responsive and touch-optimized UI for mobile devices and tablets. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

💾 State Management

The state management features in Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet enable complete workbook persistence and restoration, offering similar capabilities to Microsoft Excel with additional flexibility. Below is the detailed comparison:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
State Persistence Save the workbook state as JSON and reload it later. ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

🖨️ Printing

The Printing functionality in Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet enables users to print worksheets or entire workbooks, with comprehensive control over print settings. Below is how it compares with Microsoft Excel’s printing capabilities:

Feature Description Syncfusion Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
Print Print the entire worksheet or workbook. (Conditional formatting styles may not fully print) ✅ ✅

📚 Related Documentation:

⚠️ Feature Limitations

While the Syncfusion EJ2 Spreadsheet offers a rich Excel-like experience, there are a few functional limitations compared to Microsoft Excel. Below is a detailed explanation of each limitation with documentation references:

Feature Limitation Documentation
Wrap Text Sorting and merging cells with wrap text applied have limitations. Wrap Text Limitations
Merge Cells Merging is limited when used with filter or wrap text features. Merge Cells Limitations
Data Validation Limitations include entire row validation, inserting rows in validated ranges, copying/pasting, and deleting cells within validation ranges. Data Validation Limitations
AutoFill Flash Fill is not supported, and autofilling cells with conditional formatting has limitations. AutoFill Limitations
Editing Text overflow within cells is not supported. Editing Limitations
Text and Cell Formatting Inserting rows/columns between formatted cells and applying formatting at the row/column level are not supported. Formatting Limitations
Conditional Formatting Conditional formatting limitations include inserting rows/columns, formula support, copying conditional formatting, and creating custom rules. Conditional Formatting Limitations
Image Image corner resizing is not available, and external image copy-paste is unsupported. Image Limitations
Chart Chart updates are not reflected when inserting/deleting rows within the data source, copying data into source ranges, or resizing the chart element. Chart Limitations
Insert and Delete Insert/delete operations have limitations when formatting, data validation, conditional formatting, or filter features are applied. Insert/Delete Limitations
Sorting Sorting is not supported for cells containing formulas. Sorting Limitations
Filtering Insert/delete operations between filtered ranges, merging filtered cells, and copy/cut-paste on filtered data have limitations. Filtering Limitations
Hyperlink Inserting hyperlinks across multiple ranges is not supported. Hyperlink Limitations
Notes Notes formatting, customizing the notes dialog appearance, and exporting notes in formats like CSV, XLSM, XLSB, and PDF are not supported. Notes Limitations
Clipboard External clipboard support is basic (only value/text copying); nested formula reference updates and full conditional formatting copying are not supported. Clipboard Limitations
Selection Using “Select All” with Ctrl+A key is limited; it must be done by clicking the Select All corner button. Selection Limitations
Protection Password encryption is not supported in sheet protection. Protection Limitations
Find and Replace Undo/Redo for “Replace All” operation is not supported. Find and Replace Limitations
Print Changing print page orientation to landscape and printing cell templates or validation styles is not supported. Print Limitations
Freeze Pane Merging cells between frozen and unfrozen areas and scrolling issues with images/charts across freeze boundaries are limitations. Freeze Pane Limitations

✅ Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed learning about the feature comparison between Syncfusion Angular Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel.
You can refer to our Angular Spreadsheet feature tour page to know about its other groundbreaking feature representations and documentation, and how to quickly get started for configuration specifications. You can also explore our Angular Spreadsheet Example to understand how to create and manipulate data.
For current customers, you can check out our components from the License and Downloads page. If you are new to Syncfusion, you can try our 30-day free trial to check out our other controls.
If you have any queries or require clarifications, please let us know in the comments section below. You can also contact us through our support forums, Direct-Trac, or feedback portal. We are always happy to assist you!

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