When completing the CPA Exam, if you click on the Excel icon, Microsoft Excel® will open.

If you would like to use Excel while completing the practice testlets, please use your own desktop version (or the online version – be aware that there are differences between the desktop and online versions).

During the Exam, you will be able to use Excel’s full formula, sort, and filter capabilities, but for security purposes, certain Excel functions are unavailable. If Excel is open, it will always appear above any other open resources, exhibits or tools.

Any time you close Excel, or navigate to a new question, the work you have in the Excel file will be automatically saved. At any point you will also be able to save your work by clicking the save button in Excel. Work in Excel will only be saved in a testlet – once you navigate to the next testlet, you will start with a new Excel workbook.

If you’d like to review how Excel functions in the Exam, you’ll find detailed information in the Help file in the above tool bar.

Source: AICPA Sample CPA Testlet Interface