The 4 Best Tablets for Excel in 2026
(Picked by an Excel MVP)

Before you look at any model, here’s what makes a real difference when you use Excel on a tablet.

1. Full Excel or the Excel app?

This is the big one. A Windows tablet like the Surface Pro runs the same desktop Excel as a Windows laptop. iPads and Android tablets run the Excel app instead. Here’s what that means in practice:

• Formulas, tables, charts and PivotTables: work on all of them.
• VBA macros: only run in desktop Excel for Windows and Mac. The iPad and Android apps can’t run them (and neither can Excel for the web).
• Power Query: is built into Excel for Windows and Mac. You can’t build or edit queries in the iPad or Android app.
• Power Pivot data models: are a feature of Excel for Windows. If you build data models, you need Windows.
• Add-ins: modern Office Add-ins work in Excel for iPad, but classic COM add-ins only work in Excel for Windows.

If your work involves VBA, Power Query or Power Pivot, there’s really only one choice: a Windows tablet.

2. The 10.1-inch rule (and Microsoft 365)

Microsoft lets you do basic editing in the Excel app for free on iPads and Android tablets with a screen of 10.1 inches or less. On anything bigger, you need a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription to create and edit spreadsheets in the app. Without one, you can open and view files, but not edit them.

Almost every tablet that’s nice for Excel is bigger than 10.1 inches. So in practice: plan on a Microsoft 365 subscription. If you already pay for one for your PC or Mac, the same account works on your tablet.

One free workaround: Excel for the web runs in the tablet’s browser and lets you edit files stored in OneDrive with a free Microsoft account.

3. Screen size: bigger is better

On a 13-inch screen you see noticeably more rows and columns than on an 11-inch one, and you tap the wrong cell less often. For real spreadsheet work I’d go for 12.5 inches or more. The 11-inch tablets are fine for checking numbers and light edits.

4. A keyboard with a trackpad

Typing numbers on a touchscreen keyboard gets old fast. A keyboard case with a trackpad turns a tablet into a small laptop: you get arrow keys, Tab and Enter for moving between cells, and most of your Excel shortcuts. None of the tablets below include one, so add it to the budget.

5. Memory (for Windows tablets)

On a Windows tablet, the same rules apply as on a laptop: get at least 16GB of RAM for daily Excel work, and more if you work with big data models. The memory can’t be upgraded later.

If Excel is the main reason you want a tablet, the Microsoft Surface Pro 13-inch (12th Edition) is the one I’d pick.

It’s the only tablet on this list that runs the full desktop version of Excel. VBA macros, Power Query, Power Pivot, the full ribbon: it’s all there, exactly like on a Windows laptop. Snap on the keyboard and it is a laptop. Take it off and you have a 13-inch touchscreen tablet that weighs just under 2 pounds.

The 12th Edition came out in 2026 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 chips, and it starts with 16GB of memory, which is exactly where I want an Excel machine to start.

The configuration I’d buy

• Chip: Snapdragon X2 Plus (10-core). The 12-core X2 Elite comes with the OLED screen.
• Memory: 16GB (options up to 64GB on X2 Elite models)
• Storage: 512GB SSD (removable)
• Screen: 13″ PixelSense LCD, 2880 x 1920, 120Hz (OLED optional)
• Weight: 1.97 lb (895 g) without keyboard
• Price: from $1,499.99 at Microsoft (16GB/256GB). The 16GB/512GB LCD model was $1,499.99 to $1,599.99 depending on color.

Why it’s great for Excel (and what to watch out for)

• Full Excel: The desktop version of Excel for Windows, so every workbook, macro and query you use at the office works here too.
• It’s an Arm PC: Microsoft 365 runs natively on Snapdragon chips, and that’s fine for normal Excel work. But old 32-bit add-ins and some COM add-ins may not work. If your company relies on legacy add-ins, ask IT first. Businesses can also buy the Surface Pro for Business with Intel Core Ultra chips.
• Battery: Microsoft rates it at up to 15.5 hours of video playback and up to 11.5 hours of web browsing.
• Ports: 2x USB-C (USB4) plus the Surface Connect charging port. No USB-A or HDMI, so you’ll want a USB-C hub or dock for a projector or monitor.
• Extras cost extra: The keyboard and the Surface Slim Pen are sold separately, and you need a Microsoft 365 (or Office) license for Excel.
• Smaller option: The Surface Pro 12-inch (from $1,149.99, Snapdragon X2 Plus 6-core, 1.5 lb) is lighter, but its 12-inch 2196 x 1464 screen shows a lot less of your spreadsheet. For Excel, I’d stick with the 13-inch.

Not sure you need a tablet at all? A regular laptop is cheaper for the same Excel power. Here are the best laptops for Excel.

If you want an iPad, the iPad Air 13-inch with the M4 chip is the sweet spot for Excel.

Why not the iPad Pro? Because Excel for iPad is the same app on both. The Pro’s nicer screen and faster chip don’t unlock any extra Excel features. What does make a difference for spreadsheets is screen size, and the 13-inch Air gives you that for a lot less money.

With a keyboard attached, it’s a great machine for editing budgets, updating trackers, reviewing reports and working with PivotTables and charts. Just remember the limits: no VBA macros, and no Power Query or Power Pivot.

The configuration I’d buy

• Chip: Apple M4 with 12GB of memory
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB (your files live in OneDrive anyway)
• Screen: 13″ Liquid Retina (12.9″ diagonal), 2732 x 2048
• Weight: 1.36 lb (616 g)
• Price: $949 at Apple for 128GB Wi-Fi ($1,049 for 256GB)

Why it’s great for Excel (and what to watch out for)

• Big screen: The 13-inch screen is what makes spreadsheets comfortable on an iPad. The 11-inch iPad Air ($749) works, but you’ll scroll a lot more.
• Microsoft 365 required: The screen is larger than 10.1 inches, so you need a Microsoft 365 subscription to edit in the Excel app.
• Excel app limits: No VBA, no Power Query editor and no Power Pivot. Workbooks with macros open, but the macros won’t run.
• Keyboard: The Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (sold separately) gives you a trackpad and proper keys. Highly recommended for Excel.
• Battery: Apple rates it at up to 10 hours of web browsing or video.
• Prices went up: Apple raised iPad prices in June 2026 (the 13-inch Air launched at $799 in March). Amazon deals are worth checking.

Want the top-of-the-line iPad anyway? The iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) starts at $1,499 at Apple. For Excel alone, I don’t think it’s worth the extra money.

On Android, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series is the clear choice, and the new Galaxy Tab S12+ (on sale in the US since October 7, 2026) is the one I’d get for Excel.

It has a 12.6-inch AMOLED screen, a long-lasting battery, and the S Pen is included in the box. Samsung also has a desktop-style mode called DeX that gives you resizable windows and a taskbar, which makes it easier to work with Excel next to your email or a browser.

Excel for Android has the same limits as the iPad app: no VBA, no Power Query and no Power Pivot. For editing and reviewing spreadsheets, it works well.

The configuration I’d buy

• Chip: MediaTek Dimensity 9500 with 12GB of memory
• Storage: 256GB, plus a microSD slot (up to 2TB)
• Screen: 12.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2800 x 1752, 120Hz
• Weight: 553 g (1.22 lb)
• Price: from $1,199.99 at Samsung

Why it’s great for Excel (and what to watch out for)

• Battery: Samsung rates it at up to 21 hours of video playback, with a 10,600 mAh battery and 45W charging (charger sold separately).
• S Pen included: Unlike Apple and Microsoft, Samsung puts the pen in the box.
• Microsoft 365 required: The screen is larger than 10.1 inches, so editing in the Excel app needs a Microsoft 365 subscription.
• Durability: IP68 water and dust resistance, which is rare for a tablet.
• Keyboard: Samsung’s Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim are sold separately.
• Want more screen? The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has a huge 14.6-inch screen (from $1,399.99). It’s the best Android tablet for spreadsheets, but it’s big to carry around.

Typing a lot of numbers? Pair any tablet with a good Bluetooth keyboard. Here are the best keyboards for Excel.

If you mainly want to check and update spreadsheets on the go, the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) is the cheapest tablet I’d recommend for Excel.

The A16 chip handles the Excel app without problems, and the 11-inch screen is big enough for quick edits, reviewing reports and filling in trackers. It’s not the tablet for building big models, but that’s not what it’s for.

The configuration I’d buy

• Chip: Apple A16
• Storage: 128GB
• Screen: 11″ Liquid Retina (10.86″ diagonal), 2360 x 1640
• Weight: 1.05 lb (477 g)
• Price: $449 at Apple for 128GB Wi-Fi (often less on Amazon)

Why it’s great for Excel (and what to watch out for)

• Not free to edit: Even the base iPad’s screen (10.86 inches) is above Microsoft’s 10.1-inch limit, so you still need Microsoft 365 to edit in the Excel app. Excel for the web in Safari is the free alternative.
• Smaller screen: Fine for quick edits, tiring for long sessions in big workbooks.
• Keyboard: Works with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio (sold separately).
• Battery: Apple rates it at up to 10 hours of web browsing or video.
• Price: It went from $349 to $449 when Apple raised prices in June 2026, so watch for sales.

Only want free editing in the Excel app? The iPad mini (8.3-inch screen, $599 at Apple) is the only current iPad under the 10.1-inch limit. It’s just too small for comfortable spreadsheet work, in my opinion.

So which tablet should you get for Excel? It comes down to which Excel you need.

If you use macros, Power Query or Power Pivot, or you simply want the same Excel you have at work, get the Microsoft Surface Pro 13-inch. It’s a real Windows PC in tablet form.

If you mostly edit and review spreadsheets on the go, the iPad Air 13-inch (Apple) or the Galaxy Tab S12+ (Android) are lovely to use. And if you just need to check numbers now and then, the iPad 11-inch does the job for less.

Whatever you pick: get a keyboard, and budget for Microsoft 365.

Alright, so you got the tablet… now what?

If it’s time to upgrade your laptop, check out our review!

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Can you use Excel on a tablet?

Yes. On a Windows tablet like the Surface Pro, you install the normal desktop version of Excel. On an iPad or Android tablet, you download the free Excel app (or the Microsoft 365 Copilot app) from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with your Microsoft account. You can also use Excel for the web in the tablet’s browser.

Is Excel free on a tablet?

Only on small ones. Microsoft offers basic editing for free in the Excel app on iPads and Android tablets with screens of 10.1 inches or less. On bigger tablets, you need a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription to create and edit files in the app. Excel for the web is free with a Microsoft account on any tablet.

Do tablets come with Word and Excel installed?

Usually not with a license. iPads and Android tablets don’t include Office, and on Windows tablets Microsoft 365 is often preinstalled only as a trial. Some Amazon bundles include a Microsoft 365 subscription, so read the listing carefully. Either way, you’ll need a subscription or license to keep editing.

Can I use Excel on a Samsung (Android) tablet?

Yes. Install Excel or the Microsoft 365 Copilot app from Google Play and sign in. You can edit formulas, charts and PivotTables, but VBA macros, Power Query and Power Pivot aren’t available in Excel for Android. On a Galaxy Tab bigger than 10.1 inches, editing requires Microsoft 365.

Is an iPad or a Surface Pro better for Excel?

For Excel itself, the Surface Pro, because it runs the full desktop version with VBA, Power Query and Power Pivot. The iPad is a better tablet (apps, battery, simplicity), and it’s great for editing and reviewing. If you rely on macros or data models, choose the Surface Pro.

What’s the best tablet for Excel and Word (Microsoft Office)?

Word and PowerPoint work well on every tablet on this list, so pick based on your heaviest Excel needs. For the full Microsoft Office experience, the Surface Pro is the best choice. If you’re weighing a laptop instead, see the best laptops for Microsoft Office.

What’s the best inexpensive tablet for Excel?

The iPad 11-inch (A16) at $449 (often less on sale). Remember to budget for Microsoft 365 if you want to edit in the Excel app, or use Excel for the web for free.

What’s the best tablet for spreadsheets and video calls?

All four tablets here run Teams and Zoom. If you want to share an Excel window during a call and keep notes open at the same time, a bigger screen helps: the Surface Pro 13-inch or the Galaxy Tab S12+ in DeX mode.

Can I use a mouse and keyboard with Excel on a tablet?

Yes. All four tablets work with Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and a keyboard case with a trackpad makes a huge difference for Excel. Need one? Here’s the best mouse for Excel.