Excell or Excel: What is the Correct Spelling?(march 2025)

Most of the time, people confuse between Excel and Excell, and then they often wonder as to which spelling is correct. In terms of spelling, both words could sound and look alike, but they possess very much different meanings as well as usages.

 Excel is such a widely known general-purpose software used as a spreadsheet, calculation, and data analysis tool in many industries. On the other side, Excell is an outdated, rare term that is generally not recognized in the present time.

 Understanding the proper spelling of Excel can help clarify communication, especially in professional or academic contexts. Let’s explore this common mix-up further!

Table of Content

• Introduction
  • What Do “Excell” and Excel Mean?
• Excell
  • Definition and Usage
• Excel
  • Definition and Usage
• Origins of the Word “Excel”
  • Tracing Its Roots from Latin to Modern English
• What’s the Difference between “Excell” and Excel?
  • Historical vs. Modern Usage
• Tenses of the Verb ‘Excel’ with Examples
  • Using “Excel” in Different Tenses
• Why Did We Add an Extra ‘l’ in ‘Excelled’ and ‘Excelling’?
  • The Role of English Spelling Conventions
• Examples in Context
  • Real-Life Applications of “Excel”
• Conclusion
  • Final Thoughts on “Excell” vs. Excel

What do “Excell” and Excel Mean?

Excel is doing things at or beyond the high level on which things are rated. It is also the name of popular spreadsheet software by Microsoft.

Excell, on the other hand, is an old spelling or variant of the word excel, mostly appearing in older writings. Indeed, Excell and Excel look somewhat the same, but they are very different in meanings and usages.

It is important to know the difference between the two to possibly avoid confusion, especially while writing and communicating. Here are both terms with their appropriate contexts.

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Excel: The Verb

Excel as a verb, at best, means to do something really well in a field. Not competence but going over and above typical expectations would mean that person in sports, school, or a job would be called that if he’s different by what he does.

Excel: For example, among other aspects, he excelled in his presentation, or it meant something done a while back; she is excelling in her career, referring to the moment, or the present. Overall, to excel or excel implies something good because it involves dealing with the crème de la crème in whatever aspect.

Excel: The Software

Thus, when someone’s talking about computers, Excel simply means the well-known spreadsheet application owned by Microsoft itself. This allows users to manage, analyze, and visualize their data in a way that lets them see the data organized by rows and columns.

Since the introduction of the program in the 80s, it has already become one of the most widely used programs for manipulating data, especially in business, finance, and academia.

Excel is equipped with powerful features, including formulas, pivot tables, and charts, which would allow anyone to do complex calculations and manipulate a lot of data with ease.

Thus, many people find the concept of Excel synonymous with spreadsheets. Budget-tracking exercises, for example, project management, and data analysis tend to have this as the tool that gets used most often. Its significance in both professional and personal contexts is immense, and it remains a staple in offices worldwide.

Excell: The Obsolete Variant

 In modern English, Excell is largely considered a misspelling, especially when referring to the verb that means to perform exceptionally well. It’s rarely used except in historical texts or as part of names.

You may still find mention of Excell in some defunct literature or some older firm names, but nowadays, the general rule is to use Excel as both a verb and for the application.

Key Differences Between “Excell” and Excel

Excell is the spelling of the modern custom, both for verb and software. So, if anyone is writing or saying about excelling at something, or even speaking about the Microsoft software, it should have been by Excel. The use of Excell can confuse readers, as it is no longer a standard form in modern English.

In short, Excel has multiple meanings—one as a verb for superior performance and another as the name of a software program.

Excell

Excell is an outdated version of the word excel, rarely used today. It sometimes appeared in older English texts and was a way to show superiority or distinction. 

While it once had similar meanings to excel, it is now considered a misspelling in most contexts. The form Excell is mostly seen in names or historical references.

Excell: An Outdated Version

In other words, excellence once meaning performing exceptionally well and sometimes exceeding others, it almost is no longer used in modern times.

Excell in the archaic times once in a while lithely appeared in English literature and history, almost always describing some sense of superiority and distinction. It was a way to describe someone or something that outshone the rest, much like we use excel today.

Historical Usage of “Excell”

In its prime, Excell was an acceptable form, especially in older English texts. For instance, some classical writers or poets may have used the word to elevate the status of certain individuals or actions, describing them as Excell-ing or surpassing others in ability or achievement. 

However, its usage was never as widespread as excel, and over time, the double “l” version began to fade out of favor.

Decline in Popularity

The gradual shift away from Excell in favor of excel began as English spelling conventions became more standardized.The evolution of the language has favored that simpler form, with a single “l,” and Excell has remained behind.

This isn’t merely a change done for Excell; some very old words in English have gone the same way-to evolution-by being harder to pronounce or inconsistent in spelling. Nowadays, Excell is rarely used in contexts outside the area of history.

Why Avoid “Excell” Today?

Using “Excell” in modern English is often viewed as a mistake, for it goes against contemporary spelling conventions. If it might be seen in different contexts in literature or as part of a name, say in company or family names, its usage would still not be fit for general writing.

Excel is the correct option in every professional and academic context whether it is used in the sense of someone’s achievement or the popular Microsoft software.

Excel

The term Excel describes better performance than any other or the cutting edge of excellence in that dimension. It can be used in a more general sense to refer to a skill that others do in a lesser fashion.

The Excel can also refer to the modern software tool that deals with data, formulas, and spreadsheets, the verb therefore denoting the ability of an individual to go well beyond the call of duty.

Excel: The Verb

Excel is a verb that means to do well and, in some manner, beat or surpass others in the same activity. It is thus customarily used to either informally or formally recognize someone who has shown outstanding knowledge, skill, or achievement in any field; be it academics, sports, or purely recreational.

For instance, one might say that a student excels in mathematics, meaning that they/she is outperforming his/her peers or is more skillful or knowledgeable than anyone else in that field.

Examples of Excel in Use

Here are a few examples to demonstrate how excel works as a verb:

• “She excels in writing, winning several awards for her poetry.”
• “He has always excelled in his professional career, earning promotions and recognition.”
• “The athlete is excelling in her training, breaking personal records with each competition.”

In each case, excel shows that the person is going above and beyond the average, standing out through exceptional effort or results. The verb suggests not just competence, but a higher level of achievement that sets someone apart.

Excel as a Positive Attribute

In terms of describing indicative actions or abilities of people, excel indeed carries a positive connotation because it emphasizes successful and tractable engagement in specific skill mastery.

For example, if we consider the academic context, students who excel in studies will be often commended for being devoted, focused, and results-oriented. Likewise, athletes and professionals who excel in their fields gain recognition for their dedication and talent.

Excel in Different Contexts

Excel could ask for any number of contexts-it’s beyond just school or work, but also for something like performance in a creative form, for example, in terms of painting, music, or writing.

For instance, a painter would excel at creating strikingly visual works, a musician might excel at playing her instrument, and across the board, people demonstrate superior capability and talent in their craft.

Related Terms and Synonyms

Some of its synonyms include outperform, surpass, outshine, and outdo. They all indicate that a person or a thing exceeds the average or expected.

For example, “she outperformed all of her competitors,” or “his performance surpassed everyone’s expectations.” All these alternatives imply an excellently positive notion.

Origins of the Word “Excel”

Excel – probably in common parlance comes from Latin roots. Excel comes from the Latin word “excellere,” which means “to rise above” or “to surpass.” This word evolved into Old French and finally came into the English language.

The meaning has been tightly bound to performing or doing something in an extraordinary way, especially in matters of education, athletics, or artistry.

Dezvolts, which refers to the capacity to excel at some great thing: its roots run far back into languages, and even in Old Latin, we have the word “excellere,” meaning “to rise up” or “to surpass.“

The parts of this word may say to go beyond the ordinary or surpass expectations: concepts which still hold in modern usage.

Evolution Through Languages

The Old French word evolved over time into Middle English-an evolution that continued on for quite some time and culminated in its present form, “excel.”

That event transpired to make it an English word, whose meaning still fundamentally echoes its Latin connotations: to perform at a higher level, to rise above others, or to outdo expectations.

Meaning Remains Consistent

The fundamental meaning of excel has remained fairly stable throughout its evolution. While the word passed through different languages and cultural contexts, its core idea of superior performance or excellence in a particular area stayed intact. 

Impact on Modern English

Since entering modern English, excel has become a widely known verb meaning achieving something great. Gradually, it was established into everyday vocabulary to praise someone for great skill or achievement.

It is used not only in informal settings but also in more formal instances such as performance evaluations and academic citations. The legacy of its Latin roots is still with us today as we express excellence.

What’s the Difference between “Excell” and Excel?

Excell and Excel are differentiated by the fact that the first form happens to be an obsolete one. Excel is, however, the modern form and the one mostly accepted.

The word Excell does still find a place in archaic or literary thought, but certainly, in this modern world, one will go for Excel path while referring to the Microsoft software or to mean doing better than others.

Generally, Excell and Excel differ basically in stories relating to their usage and relevancy in contemporary language.

Excell is the older, now-obsolete, rarely used alternate spelling of excel, which means, to perform better than others or to surpass expectations. Excel is the modern, widely accepted form and the right word to use, almost universally, in today’s context.

Excell: The Outdated Form

Historically, excell would be seen in earlier texts but maybe employed in the same way as excel and would be something that refers to one who has more aptitude or accomplishment than most.

Again, that double spelling became less and less common over time, as language conventions moved toward simpler, standardized forms.

Excel: The Modern and Accepted Version

The contrast set in Read More Between Excel and the Modern Standard Spelling. In case someone excels in his work, you underscore that individual as doing really well.

In reference to the software, Excel comes capitalized as it is one among the trademarks. Routine in both informal and formal situations was that spelling.

The Evolution of Usage

Gradually over time, Excell became less and less frequently used. Where this was in English-speaking countries, so excel prevailed. It was one of the many simplifications of language, not just spelling.

Correct Choice in Modern Usage

Excel unequally describes excellence in the modern world. Referring to someone who does an outstanding job, or more specifically referring to the computer program for creating spreadsheets, is made clearer and more precise by Excel.

Therefore, stick with Excel to avoid any mistakes, especially when communicating professionally or academically.

Tenses of the Verb ‘Excel’ with Examples

For example, “She excelled in mathematics last semester” shows past performance. “He is excelling in his new job” shows ongoing achievement.

These forms describe different time frames of someone or something performing exceptionally. Like many verbs in English, it adapts to convey past, present, and future actions or states.

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Present Simple: Excel

In the present simple tense, excel is used to describe actions or abilities that are generally true or recurring. It indicates that someone consistently performs well or shows outstanding skill.

• Example: “She excels in her studies.”
• In this case, excels suggests that the person is continually performing at a high level.

Present Continuous: Excelling

This fact that someone is doing very well indicates presently that someone is winning. This means successful activity in the present continuous form of the word excelling. It signifies an ongoing task or accomplishment that is taking place at the moment.

• Example: “He is excelling in his new job.”
• Here, excelling shows that the person’s exceptional performance is happening continuously.

Past Simple: Excelled

The past simple tense, excelled, is used to describe exceptional performance or achievements that have already happened.

• Example: “She excelled in mathematics last semester.”
• In this example, excelled refers to past achievements, specifically during the previous semester.

Past Continuous: Was Excelling

When you want to describe an ongoing action in the past, you can use the past continuous tense, was excelling. This implies that the exceptional performance was happening at a particular moment or over a period in the past.

• Example: “He was excelling at tennis during the summer.”
• The past continuous form here suggests that, over the course of the summer, the person was consistently performing well.

Future Simple: Will Excel

• Example: “She will excel in the upcoming competition.”
• In this case, will excel conveys the expectation or prediction that the person will perform exceptionally well in the future.

Future Continuous: Will Be Excelling

The future continuous form, will be excelling, can be used to describe someone’s ongoing exceptional performance in the future. It suggests that the person will be performing well during a specific period or event.

• Example: “He will be excelling at his new role next year.”
• This form highlights that the person’s exceptional performance is expected to continue over a period in the future.

Why Did We Add an Extra ‘l’ in ‘Excelled’ and ‘Excelling’?

The extra ‘l’ in excelled and excelling is due to English language conventions for verb conjugation.

 In some verbs, when they end in a single consonant preceded by a vowel, the consonant is doubled to maintain the correct pronunciation. This happens in excel, forming excelled and excelling in past and present continuous tenses, respectively.

The presence of the extra ‘l’ in “excelled” and “excelling” follows a common rule in English verb conjugation. This rule is a part of the pattern that helps maintain the pronunciation and rhythm of the word when it’s altered in tense or form.

English Spelling Conventions

 This is done to preserve the vowel sound in the syllable before it. For example, the verb “excel” ends with a single “l” after a vowel (“e”), so when it is conjugated into the past tense (“excelled”) or present participle (“excelling”), the “l” is doubled.

Why Is the Double “L” Important?

The doubling of the “l” ensures the correct pronunciation of the word. Without the second “l”, the pronunciation could shift, making the word sound different from the base form.

For example, “excel” with a single “l” might be mispronounced or cause confusion in certain contexts. The doubling keeps the sound consistent, especially in fast or connected speech.

Other Examples in English

This doubling rule is not exclusive to “excel”—it appears in many English verbs. For example, consider verbs like “cancel” (canceled, canceling), “travel” (traveled, traveling), or “squirrel” (squirreled, squirreling).

In each case, the final consonant is doubled to preserve the pronunciation and keep the rhythm of the word consistent across its forms.

Consistency in Verb Conjugation

The doubling of consonants in English conjugation helps create consistency and makes pronunciation rules easier to follow.

While not all verbs follow this pattern, it applies to many, especially those ending in single consonants after vowels. 

Examples in Context

Here are a few examples of excel used in context. “She has always excelled in her academic pursuits.” “John is currently excelling in his role as a project manager.”

These examples show the action of performing well in a specific area, whether in past achievements or current efforts. Here are a few examples that demonstrate how the verb excel can describe outstanding performance across different tenses:

Past Tense: “Excelled”

• “She has always excelled in her academic pursuits.”
  In this example, excelled is used to describe someone’s past achievements. It shows that the individual has performed exceptionally well throughout her academic journey. The use of excelled highlights that her success is not just an isolated incident but a consistent pattern over time.

Present Continuous: “Excelling”

• “John is currently excelling in his role as a project manager.”
  Here, excelling is used to describe an ongoing action. John is actively performing exceptionally well in his current role. The present continuous form emphasizes that this level of performance is happening now, and it’s still in progress.

Present Tense: “Excels”

• “Mary excels at playing the piano.”
  In this case, the present tense excels highlights that Mary regularly performs at a high level in her musical abilities. It’s not a one-time occurrence but an ongoing demonstration of her talent.

Future Tense: “Will Excel”

• “With hard work, she will excel in her future endeavors.”
  This future tense example indicates that the person is expected to perform exceptionally well in the future. The phrase will excel expresses a prediction or expectation based on effort or skill.

Past Continuous: “Was Excelling”

• “During the competition, he was excelling in every round.”
  The past continuous form, was excelling, is used to describe someone’s performance over a period of time in the past. It shows that the person was continuously outperforming others as the competition progressed.

Excell (with double ‘ll’)

Excell is an old-fashioned or archaic spelling, often seen in historical contexts. It was used to convey the idea of surpassing or excelling in something, much like the modern excel. 

However, Excell has fallen out of common usage, and today, it is rarely used except in names or older texts.

Excel (with one “l”)

Excel is the standard, modern spelling used to describe exceptional performance or surpassing others in a particular area

 It’s also the name of a widely used spreadsheet software. Whether as a verb or a tool, excel emphasizes high achievement and capability.

As a Verb

As a verb, excel means to be exceptionally good at something or to surpass others in a specific area. For example, “She excels in mathematics,” meaning she performs at a superior level in math. The verb focuses on skill, talent, or ability that stands out in comparison to others.

As the Software Program

Synonyms of Excell (with double ‘ll’)

Since Excell is an outdated version of excel, its synonyms would align with the concept of superiority or excellence.

Some related words include “surpass,” “outshine,” and “outperform.” These words express the idea of being better or excelling in a particular task or skill.

Synonyms of Excel (with one “l”)

Synonyms of excel include “shine,” “surpass,” “outperform,” “outdo,” and “outstrip.” These words all convey the idea of performing better than others in a particular activity or field. For example, “She outshines everyone in the competition” or “He surpassed expectations.”

Excel

Definition
To excel means to perform exceptionally well or to surpass others in a particular activity or field. It’s often used to highlight someone’s superior skills, abilities, or achievements.

Examples:

• “She excels in painting, having won numerous awards.”
• “He excelled in the competition, finishing first place in every round.”
• “The team has been excelling in their performance this season.”

Synonyms:

• Surpass
• Outshine
• Outperform
• Outdo
• Overachieve
• Shine

Featured Misspellings

• Excell (extra “l”)
• Exel (missing one “l”)

Related Misspellings

• Excelle (incorrect spelling with extra “e”)
• Excell (incorrect use of double “l”)

Grammar Rules and Examples

When using excel as a verb, remember:

• In the present tense: “She excels in her job.”
• In the past tense: “He excelled in the race.”
• In the present continuous: “They are excelling in their new roles.”

Keep in mind that excel is a regular verb, so it follows standard conjugation rules. Use it to describe ongoing or past achievements when necessary. Also, when talking about Excel as the software, treat it as a proper noun and capitalize it.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct spelling is Excel with one “l,” whether you’re referring to the popular spreadsheet software or the verb meaning to perform exceptionally well. While Excell (with double “l”) may appear in older texts, it’s no longer commonly used or accepted. Understanding this distinction helps avoid confusion, especially in professional or academic settings. 

So, next time you refer to someone excelling at a task or open the spreadsheet software, remember—it’s Excel, not Excell. Stick to the modern spelling for clarity and accuracy!

FAQ,S

What is the difference between “Excell” and “Excel”?

Excel is the correct and modern spelling, used as a verb meaning to perform well or as the name of the popular Microsoft software. Excell, with a double “l,” is an outdated, rarely used variant of the word.

Is “Excell” ever used in modern language?

No, Excell is now considered a misspelling or archaic form of excel. It may still appear in historical texts or as a name, but it’s not commonly used today.

Can I use “Excell” instead of “Excel” in writing?

It’s best to avoid using Excell unless referencing something historical. Excel is the widely accepted and correct spelling for both the verb and the software.

Why do we write “excelling” and “excelled” with double “l”?

The double “l” in excelling and excelled follows English conjugation rules for verbs ending in a consonant preceded by a vowel. This doubling maintains proper pronunciation.

What are synonyms of “Excel”?

Some synonyms for excel include “surpass,” “outperform,” “outdo,” “shine,” and “outstrip.” These all convey the idea of performing better than others.

How do I use “Excel” as a verb in a sentence?

You can use Excel to describe someone’s exceptional performance: “She excels in every project she takes on.”

Why is “Excel” important in the business world?

Excel (the software) is essential for data organization, analysis, and presentation. It’s widely used in business for creating spreadsheets, calculating financial data, and visualizing complex information.