Level up your Box knowledge with brand new learning paths on Box University. Visit training.box.com to get started

Box Status
Print

Excel Online Previewer

has_image , User , Preview , Mac , Admin , Microsoft Excel , Article , New , Product Utilization , Instruction , Microsoft - Office , P5

When previewing Excel files in Box, you can make use of the Excel Online Previewer, which makes use of Microsoft technology to bring you an enhanced spreadsheet viewing experience. This is a free service and is available for any customer using the new Box Web interface.

Note: New Box Experience

This page refers to the new Box experience. In Box, use your pointer to hover over a single file or folder.  The item should look like the below image.

 

plnk6oif5fjo9s743ly1za12ila5zzto

If the item does not look like the image above, this feature is not available.

When you preview a spreadsheet using the Excel Online Previewer, the file is sent via secure and encrypted HTTPS to Microsoft servers for rendering. Microsoft caches the file on its servers for 30 days. For reference, here are the Microsoft Terms of Service.

Previewing Excel Files

Click an Excel document to preview it. Depending on your enterprise's settings, you may be prompted to use the Excel Online Previewer the first time you use it. If you've dismissed the prompt but want to add the feature later, or if you've added the feature and want to remove it, you can do so here: https://cloud.app.box.com/services/box_excel_online_previewer.

Depending on the size of the Excel file, it may take some time for your spreadsheet to load.

 

 

The Excel Online Previewer is more powerful than the standard preview experience. You can select individual cells in your spreadsheet, filter cells, and navigate multiple sheets. All the standard features of the preview window are unchanged.

More details on the differences between the Excel Online Previewer and the Excel desktop application.

 

Notes:

  • You must have Download permissions to use the Excel Online Previewer to view a file. If your access level is Previewer, Uploader, or Previewer Uploader, you cannot use the Excel Online Previewer.  More information on Access Levels.
  • Excel Online Previewer only allows for previewing Excel files. It does not provide additional editing capabilities. 

 

Tip:  If Excel Preview opens with a cell other than cell A1 selected, this is because the cell was selected when Excel Preview was most recently saved and closed.  To ensure Excel Preview opens next time with cell A1 selected: before closing the file, select cell A1 and then save the file.

 

Enabling and Disabling the Excel Online Previewer

Admins can enable or disable the integration directly from their Box Admin Console.  They can do this by navigating to Integrations tab.

  1. Go to Admin Console > Integrations.
  2. Click the Box Integrations & Clients tab.
  3. In the Individual Integration Controls section, search for Box Excel Online Previewer.
  4. In the Status column, select a value:
    • Available - your users must add the integration themselves from the Box app store
    • Added by Default - the integration is added to your users' accounts, and they do not need to add it manually
    • Disabled - your users will not be able to access or use the app at any time
  5. Click Save.

Firewall Configuration

If you have a firewall in place, you must configure it to allow for communication with the Microsoft servers that provide this service. See Configuring A Firewall For Box Applications for details.

 

tech_writers_swarm_kb

Related articles