Heavy Excel Users?

davenz · Jan 2, 2013, 10:18 PM

I currently in the market for a new notebook. I would really like a mac, and would buy one in a second if it were not for one thing. Excel. I do use it a lot for my job, and would often need to do some work from home.

I don't think it is really worth buying a windows machine all because of one piece of software. I work in insurance so tend to use a lot of macros/VBA, pivots tables, statistical formulas ect. I know excel 2011 on mac is not too bad but how much am I really giving up? Would it be fully compatible? and will I be able to change the shortcuts so they are the same as windows (if I use a windows keyboard). I will be working on a windows machine at work so it needs to be full compatible.

Would I be better to just use bootcamp/VmWare when using excel?

I much prefer OSX compared to windows as I am used to it for everything else.

Any thoughts from other heavy spreadsheet users?

GGJstudios · Jan 2, 2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

I know excel 2011 on mac is not too bad but how much am I really giving up? Would it be fully compatible? and will I be able to change the shortcuts so they are the same as windows (if I use a windows keyboard).

The keyboard shortcuts will be a bit different on Excel 2011, but you should have full compatibility with Excel for Windows.

glenthompson · Jan 2, 2013, 11:43 PM

When I switched to the Mac over a year ago, I started using Office for Mac 2011. I have a number of comp,ex spreadsheets with extensive formulas, pivot tables, and graphs. Have not found a single problem yet. I don't have any VBA code.

I use the Mac shortcuts since I rarely use Windows anymore.

poobear · Jan 3, 2013, 04:17 AM

I think Excel for Mac is not as polished, performance wise. See e.g. recent threads http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1510979 and http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1071615. However, if you are a heavy user I don't think you will have any problems avoiding those performance pitfalls.

JoelBC · Jan 3, 2013, 05:28 AM

I too work in the insurance industry and am a heavy user of Excel...I too have made the move from Windows to OS X as have a number of my colleagues who have a similar move...in speaking with them the consensus was to use a VM and to use Excel for Windows which I am doing without any issues or problems...in the end, this was likely the right decision [at least for me] given that I also use other financial modelling software for which there is no OS X equivalent.

I hope this helps.

Joel

James Craner · Jan 3, 2013, 06:34 AM

I agree with Joel, while Microsoft have done an excellent job with cross compatibility in Microsoft Excel 2011 for Mac - with Excel for Windows 2010, unfortunately the calculation engine in the mac version leaves a lot to be desired. Complex finance models that work fine in the Windows Version of Excel can be seen recalculating in the Mac version. Running Excel for Windows in a VM (Virtual Machine) like Parallels may be the best approach.

Parallels has a useful Coherence Mode, which hides the Windows desktop while displaying Windows applications. Windows still runs in the background, but is hidden from view. Windows applications appear in the Mac Dock, letting you switch between them without using the Windows interface.

hallux · Jan 3, 2013, 06:45 AM

In supporting Macs in a corporate environment, the largest complaint is the performance in larger spreadsheets. VBA may also be an issue. The BEST suggestion for macro and scripting compatibility is to do as the others suggested, run a VM with Office 2010 installed in it. With the right hardware configuration it will be smooth as can be.

Confuzzzed · Jan 3, 2013, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoelBC

in speaking with them the consensus was to use a VM and to use Excel for Windows

I can concur with that. I work in banking and have too much reliance on other enterprise software to get away with a complete break from Windows but then again the little annoyances of working via remote desktop were not reason enough not to own a Mac at home

JoeRito · Jan 3, 2013, 09:45 AM

I'm a heavy Excel (and Access) user and I've found compatibility with Excel for Mac to be fine, almost transparent. However, as noted by an earlier poster, there is a performance difference. Excel for Mac is much slower and missing a few of the key keyboard shortcuts I use every day -like F2 to edit a cell, ALT + to total a column of numbers, etc. When I really need to crank, I honestly use the actual windows version via Parallels as I also have this loaded on my Mac. I like the menu bar on the Mac version (it also has the newer "ribbon"), but for productivity purposes I need the windows version of Excel. Also, macros and VBA are hosted by the windows version for automation techniques.

phoenixsan · Jan 3, 2013, 10:39 AM

suggest you to go with the route VM-Windows or Bootcamp-Windows. I am also a heavy user of Excel in engineering calculations.

ToomeyND · Jan 3, 2013, 10:49 AM

I haven't had a compatibility issue. However, all of the shortcuts that make excel a breeze on windows are not as apparent on the Mac. This really slows me down to the point that I'll just go back to my work (windows) laptop if I need to be on excel extensively. I've never put in the time to learn the Mac shortcuts, I guess....

davenz · Jan 3, 2013, 01:05 PM

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

poobear · Jan 3, 2013, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

That's more than enough.

WesCole · Jan 3, 2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

Good decision.

Also, Office for Mac doesn't have Access...that was a deal breaker for me and why I run Office 2010 inside a Win7 VM.

surfearth · Jan 3, 2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

I work in banking/private equity and am a heavy user of windows excel despite being a mac user since 2001. Office for Mac never satisfied my needs since I would need to relearn all of my shortcuts and for a while macros didn't work.

Fast forward to today and I have the maxed out 2012 MBA and run excel via VMWare Fusion 5 (in its own space). Performance is as good as my official work laptop which pretty much never get used. There will be a few small tweaks you need to make (e.g. disabling ctrl-arrows for changing spaces in mission control in order to move around in cells more effectively, or remapping page-up/page down commands to make navigating worksheets more manageable).

Overall it is a great setup and I am sure you will be find running it in either VMWare or Parallels. I've avoided using bootcamp for the simple reason that I don't need the highest levels of performance and prefer using windows in a VM in its own space so that I can do my browsing, etc on the mac side and MS Office work on the PC side.

James Craner · Jan 3, 2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

Yep, I used to run it with just 4GB Ram and it worked fine, 8GB should be no problem.

JoelBC · Jan 3, 2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

Yes, this will not be a problem as I am running it on a 2012 MBA with 8GB and an i7 and I can tell you that I notice no difference between its performance on my MBA compared to my Windows laptop.

Joel

davenz · Jan 10, 2013, 09:52 PM

For those of you using parallels...

Can you have excel in the dock, and then you launch it it will open it in windows in another space?

basically using windows without really realising.

JoeRito · Jan 10, 2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?

Absolutely... will run like a dream.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenz

For those of you using parallels...

Can you have excel in the dock, and then you launch it it will open it in windows in another space?

basically using windows without really realising.

Yes, as long as you launch Excel, when you minimize it it remains in the dock. There will be an Excel icon in the dock with two parallel lines over it letting you know its a virtualized app. Can copy and paste into Mac apps without an issue.

GimmeSlack12 · Jan 11, 2013, 01:40 AM

I am in engineering and a heavy Excel user, light/moderate with VBA. I find Excel for Mac to slow me down considerably versus the Windows equivalent. This is not from a features perspective, but rather a work flow perspective. Mac Excel does not have the auto-fill option like in Windows (well it does but it gives you a dropdown of item which requires mousing or down-arrowing to your choice), furthermore loading of spreadsheets is a little slower and in some cases the VBA code does not translate.

I do not recommend doing heavy Excel workflow on Mac Excel. Some people tend to disagree with me as I have been vocal about this over the years here on MR Forums but I still have not budged on my opinion.

Mac Excel is definitely worse than Win Excel.

FHayek · Jan 11, 2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poobear

That's more than enough.

This is the set up I use and the MS Office Suite works well. Coherence mode is very cool.

Office for Mac is a poor version of its Windows' counterpart.

Jan 2, 2013, 10:18 PM	#1
davenz macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008	Heavy Excel Users? I currently in the market for a new notebook. I would really like a mac, and would buy one in a second if it were not for one thing. Excel. I do use it a lot for my job, and would often need to do some work from home. I don't think it is really worth buying a windows machine all because of one piece of software. I work in insurance so tend to use a lot of macros/VBA, pivots tables, statistical formulas ect. I know excel 2011 on mac is not too bad but how much am I really giving up? Would it be fully compatible? and will I be able to change the shortcuts so they are the same as windows (if I use a windows keyboard). I will be working on a windows machine at work so it needs to be full compatible. Would I be better to just use bootcamp/VmWare when using excel? I much prefer OSX compared to windows as I am used to it for everything else. Any thoughts from other heavy spreadsheet users?
	0

Jan 2, 2013, 11:43 PM	#3
glenthompson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke VA	When I switched to the Mac over a year ago, I started using Office for Mac 2011. I have a number of comp,ex spreadsheets with extensive formulas, pivot tables, and graphs. Have not found a single problem yet. I don't have any VBA code. I use the Mac shortcuts since I rarely use Windows anymore. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro (late 2011), iPhone 5 iPad 3rd gen, iPod Touch 3rd gen,ATV3 Snow Leopard Server 5TB
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 06:34 AM	#6
James Craner macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bristol, UK	I agree with Joel, while Microsoft have done an excellent job with cross compatibility in Microsoft Excel 2011 for Mac - with Excel for Windows 2010, unfortunately the calculation engine in the mac version leaves a lot to be desired. Complex finance models that work fine in the Windows Version of Excel can be seen recalculating in the Mac version. Running Excel for Windows in a VM (Virtual Machine) like Parallels may be the best approach. Parallels has a useful Coherence Mode, which hides the Windows desktop while displaying Windows applications. Windows still runs in the background, but is hidden from view. Windows applications appear in the Mac Dock, letting you switch between them without using the Windows interface. __________________ Productivity Orchard Be more productive with your Mac
	1

Jan 3, 2013, 06:45 AM	#7
hallux macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2012	In supporting Macs in a corporate environment, the largest complaint is the performance in larger spreadsheets. VBA may also be an issue. The BEST suggestion for macro and scripting compatibility is to do as the others suggested, run a VM with Office 2010 installed in it. With the right hardware configuration it will be smooth as can be. __________________ 2012 15" MBP, 2.3 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Hi-Res glossy
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 09:45 AM	#9
JoeRito macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2012	I'm a heavy Excel (and Access) user and I've found compatibility with Excel for Mac to be fine, almost transparent. However, as noted by an earlier poster, there is a performance difference. Excel for Mac is much slower and missing a few of the key keyboard shortcuts I use every day -like F2 to edit a cell, ALT + to total a column of numbers, etc. When I really need to crank, I honestly use the actual windows version via Parallels as I also have this loaded on my Mac. I like the menu bar on the Mac version (it also has the newer "ribbon"), but for productivity purposes I need the windows version of Excel. Also, macros and VBA are hosted by the windows version for automation techniques. __________________ 2011 MBP 15", 2013 iPad Mini, iPod Classic 160 gb, Galaxy S3, 92 lb Chocolate Lab
	1

Jan 3, 2013, 04:17 AM	#4
poobear macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2009	I think Excel for Mac is not as polished, performance wise. See e.g. recent threads http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1510979 and http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1071615. However, if you are a heavy user I don't think you will have any problems avoiding those performance pitfalls.
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 05:28 AM	#5
JoelBC macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2012	I too work in the insurance industry and am a heavy user of Excel...I too have made the move from Windows to OS X as have a number of my colleagues who have a similar move...in speaking with them the consensus was to use a VM and to use Excel for Windows which I am doing without any issues or problems...in the end, this was likely the right decision [at least for me] given that I also use other financial modelling software for which there is no OS X equivalent. I hope this helps. Joel
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 10:39 AM	#10
phoenixsan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2012	I would.... suggest you to go with the route VM-Windows or Bootcamp-Windows. I am also a heavy user of Excel in engineering calculations. __________________ Mac Pro 2010 3.06 Westmere version, 12 Core 64 GB RAM, 4 TB , iPhone 5 (black)
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 10:49 AM	#11
ToomeyND macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2011	I haven't had a compatibility issue. However, all of the shortcuts that make excel a breeze on windows are not as apparent on the Mac. This really slows me down to the point that I'll just go back to my work (windows) laptop if I need to be on excel extensively. I've never put in the time to learn the Mac shortcuts, I guess....
	0

Jan 3, 2013, 01:05 PM	#12
davenz Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008	VM/Parallels it is. Do you think 2012 MBA i5 8GB ram will suffice to run a virtual machine smoothly?
	0

Jan 10, 2013, 09:52 PM	#18
davenz Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008	For those of you using parallels... Can you have excel in the dock, and then you launch it it will open it in windows in another space? basically using windows without really realising.
	0

Jan 11, 2013, 01:40 AM	#20
GimmeSlack12 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco	I am in engineering and a heavy Excel user, light/moderate with VBA. I find Excel for Mac to slow me down considerably versus the Windows equivalent. This is not from a features perspective, but rather a work flow perspective. Mac Excel does not have the auto-fill option like in Windows (well it does but it gives you a dropdown of item which requires mousing or down-arrowing to your choice), furthermore loading of spreadsheets is a little slower and in some cases the VBA code does not translate. I do not recommend doing heavy Excel workflow on Mac Excel. Some people tend to disagree with me as I have been vocal about this over the years here on MR Forums but I still have not budged on my opinion. Mac Excel is definitely worse than Win Excel. __________________ iMac 24" iBook G4 iPhone 4 iPod 80Gb
	0


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