When most people think of Excel, they picture rows and columns, budgets, charts, or maybe a pivot table or two. It's a tool that's practically synonymous with data and number crunching. But beneath all that functionality lies something even more powerful: a full-on logic engine that, with the right creativity, can do a lot more than most people expect. That’s the idea we wanted to explore. Instead of building another calculator or dashboard, we set out to do something unexpected—something that turns heads. What better way to showcase Excel’s versatility than by creating games people already know and love?
At SpreadsheetWeb, we enjoy pushing Excel beyond its typical uses. So, we asked ourselves a fun question. What if we could build actual games in Excel? Not just simulations or static interfaces, but real, playable games with feedback, and interactivity. And what if we could take those spreadsheets and make them available online in a browser, so anyone could play without needing to install or open Excel? That question sparked a creative sprint. We picked three familiar games—Wordle, Sudoku, and Tic-Tac-Toe—and jumped right in.
So that’s exactly what we did. We recreated all three games using Excel features like formulas, data validation, and conditional formatting. Then we used SpreadsheetWeb to turn those spreadsheets into fully functional web applications. And to our surprise, not only did it work—it worked incredibly well.
Let’s walk through what we built, how it works, and why it might be one of the most unexpectedly fun things you can do with a spreadsheet.
Wordle: Real-Time Feedback in a Grid
Rebuilding Wordle in Excel gave us a great opportunity to show just how far formulas and conditional formatting can go when used creatively. The game plays exactly like the original. You try to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. You enter each guess in its row, and Excel immediately checks the word after you finish typing. There’s no button to click, no manual validation—Excel reacts instantly. That real-time feedback creates a polished, responsive experience that feels nothing like a spreadsheet.
When you make a guess, Excel compares each letter to the hidden target word. If a letter is in the correct position, the cell turns green. If the letter is in the word but in the wrong position, it turns yellow. If the letter doesn’t appear in the word at all, the cell turns gray. Conditional formatting handles the colors, while string functions and formula logic determine letter accuracy. We kept the layout clean and intuitive to match what users expect from the game.
Each row unlocks only after the previous one is complete, and Excel tracks the number of guesses used. When the game ends—either with a correct guess or after six attempts—it prevents further input and displays a result. Players can then refresh the sheet to start again with a new word. Hidden helper cells store the core logic, updating instantly with each new entry. Most people don’t believe it’s built in Excel until they see the formulas behind it.
From Excel Logic to Web App
After completing the core logic, we brought the file into SpreadsheetWeb. We mapped the inputs, preserved the formatting, and built a responsive interface for the web. The transition felt seamless, and the game ran perfectly in the browser. Players didn’t need to download anything or install Excel—just open a link and play. Even on mobile devices, the interface remained clean and easy to use. It felt less like a spreadsheet and more like a native web app.
Try it out for yourself:
Play Wordle in Excel (on the web)
Sudoku: Puzzle Solving with Built-In Logic
Sudoku might look simple, but it’s a perfect example of how well Excel can handle live validation and rule enforcement. We created a 9×9 grid and added logic to generate puzzles based on difficulty. Users choose a level and get a puzzle filled with a mix of locked numbers and open cells. They then enter values in the remaining cells, and Excel validates each move in real time. We designed it to feel smooth and responsive, just like a mobile Sudoku app.
Live Validation, No Code Required
Every time the player enters a number, Excel checks the row, column, and 3×3 box for conflicts. If the number breaks the rules, the cell highlights immediately, guiding the player to make corrections. There’s no need to manually check the puzzle or trigger an update. The spreadsheet constantly monitors inputs using formulas, ensuring the experience feels fluid and dynamic. It’s satisfying to see how quickly Excel can catch mistakes and keep the user on track.
We also added features like a reset button, a solution checker, and a clean, app-like layout. It’s easy to start over or check your progress with just a click. All of this happens without any external code or scripts. Excel handles everything—from layout to logic—and does it incredibly well. The interface feels more like a mobile puzzle game than a spreadsheet.
Seamless Browser Experience
Publishing the Sudoku game with SpreadsheetWeb was just as easy. We kept the visual structure intact, and the live validation worked perfectly online. The web version loads quickly, works across devices, and offers the same instant feedback as the Excel version. Anyone can open the game in a browser, start playing immediately, and enjoy a smooth, satisfying puzzle experience. It proves that Excel isn’t just powerful—it’s flexible in ways most people overlook.
Play Sudoku now:
Play Sudoku
Tic-Tac-Toe: Excel Becomes Your Opponent
Tic-Tac-Toe might be simple, but creating an intelligent opponent inside Excel made this project surprisingly fun. We started by building a 3x3 grid that responds to clicks and tracks the game’s progress. Excel updates the board with every move, switching turns and checking for a winner after each play. There’s no delay, and the game plays out like a basic web or mobile app. And yes—it’s still all just spreadsheet logic.
Set Your Match: X/O, Turn Order, and Intelligence Level
Before the match begins, players select three required settings: their symbol (X or O), who goes first, and the difficulty level. These inputs customize the game and add variety. On easy mode, Excel makes random moves. On hard mode, it blocks your strategies and takes advantage of winning opportunities. All of this behavior is controlled by formulas working in the background, using logic to simulate intelligent play.
Once the settings are in place, the game starts. Click a square, and Excel makes its move. It checks for a win, a draw, or a continuing game, then switches turns and updates the board. When the match ends, the game resets automatically and prompts the user to start again.
Web-Ready Gameplay with Excel Logic
Using SpreadsheetWeb, we turned this spreadsheet into a live Tic-Tac-Toe game available in any browser. Every part of the experience carried over—settings, logic, behavior, and interface. The game loads fast, works well on mobile, and keeps users engaged with its responsive design. It’s a great example of what happens when spreadsheet logic meets web deployment. The result is a lightweight, interactive app that runs entirely on spreadsheet rules.
Play against Excel right here:
Play Tic-Tac-Toe
Why This Was Worth Designing...
At first glance, this project may just look like a fun side experiment. But once you dig into it, you start to see the deeper value. Excel can do so much more than most people think—and with tools like SpreadsheetWeb, the possibilities grow even further. We didn’t write new software. We just used the spreadsheet logic that already existed and brought it online.
These games—Wordle, Sudoku, and Tic-Tac-Toe—all prove that Excel can deliver responsive, interactive experiences that feel surprisingly polished. Whether you’re a power user, a developer, or someone who builds models all day, this approach opens new doors. You can take the tools you’ve already built and let others interact with them instantly, from any browser, without extra setup. It’s a simple shift with massive potential.
If you’ve ever created something smart in Excel and wished you could share it without sending a file, this is your chance. SpreadsheetWeb lets you turn spreadsheets into real web apps that look good, perform well, and actually get used. So, give it a try—you might be surprised by what your spreadsheet can do.
