I tried switching to Linux before, but went back to Windows because of the hassle. I would like to try Linux again, but I rely heavily on an Excel workbook I have built over the years for tracking student grades, evaluations, and related teaching tasks. It contains many macros and scripts, and I may also need modern AI-assisted office features. Is there an office suite on Linux that can preserve or run this kind of Excel/VBA functionality, or would I need to keep using Microsoft Excel through another setup?
4 Answers
There is no Linux office suite with complete compatibility for complicated Excel VBA. You could experiment with OnlyOffice, LibreOffice, or running an older version of Office with Wine, but compatibility will depend on the exact macros and references your file uses. Be prepared for some manual rewriting and testing.
If the workbook depends on real VBA, Microsoft Excel on Windows is still the safest option. The web version of Excel does not support VBA, and alternatives such as LibreOffice or OnlyOffice generally require you to rewrite the macros in their own scripting systems. A Windows virtual machine or a separate Windows installation may be more reliable than trying to convert everything.
It may be worth documenting what each macro actually does and looking for Linux tools that provide those specific features. A spreadsheet can work for a while, but if it is handling lots of linked data and automation, a database or a small dedicated application might be a better long-term fit. You could gradually replace the workbook instead of trying to find a perfect drop-in replacement.
The practical choices are to keep Windows for Excel, run Excel in a Windows virtual machine, or gradually turn the spreadsheet into a web application. Running Office through Wine can work for some older versions, but it is not guaranteed to handle every macro, add-in, or integration. Remote Windows application setups are another possibility, though they can take significant effort to configure.
I may eventually convert the whole thing into a web app, but setting up a complicated Windows application integration sounds like more work than I want right now.
The spreadsheet is for managing grades and evaluations as part of my teaching work, and I have refined it over several years. That file is really the main reason I still need Windows. I can move my cloud storage elsewhere, so that part is not a problem.