Framacalc. A simple, free and collaborative online spreadsheet

Last updated on 12 May 2026

Framacalc is a real online spreadsheet that allows you to work together and in real time on the same spreadsheet.

At a time when many education stakeholders are seeking to reduce their reliance on commercial digital tools, Framacalc offers a free-to-use solution for collaborative classroom work. A free online spreadsheet that can facilitate your educational projects while respecting your data.

This online collaborative spreadsheet proposed by theFrench non-profit association Framasoft is free and ad-free. It is based on Ethercalc free software, offering an ethical alternative to proprietary solutions.

A simple tool designed for the class

Imagine a spreadsheet as easy to use asa Whiteboard : no registration, no account to create, just a link to share with your students. This is the Framacalc principle. One click is enough to create a new spreadsheet, and your students can start working together instantly.

Simplicity does not mean limited functionality. You will find the essential tools for your educational needs: mathematical formulas, statistical functions and basic graphics.

Real-time collaboration

Framacalc allows multiple users to work simultaneously on the same spreadsheet, viewing changes in real time. This feature facilitates teamwork on various projects, such as inventories, surveys or meetings.

Essential features of the Framacalc spreadsheet

• Many functions available (statistics, finance, mathematics, text, etc.)
• Comments on cells
• Automatic and permanent backup
• Basic charts (histogram, lines, points)
• Export in HTML and CSV formats

Unlike other solutions, Framacalc does not collect any personal data. Your work remains confidential and is hosted in France.

Concrete uses in class

Framacalc is a spreadsheet without advanced functions very sharp, but it lends itself to many uses in class.

For Mathematics

Create simple exercises where students collectively fill out a data table. The integrated formulas allow to calculate average, median or percentages in real time. Students immediately visualise the impact of their changes on the results.

For collective projects

Follow the progress of a class project: schedule of presentations, division of tasks, budget for an outing to school. Each change is instantly visible to all participants. No more multiple versions of the same document!

For the evaluation

Draw up your evaluation grids and share them with your colleagues. Automatic calculations make it easier to track skills. A single table accessible to the entire teaching team makes it possible to harmonise practices.

What you need to know before you start

For optimal use of Framacalc, keep these few points in mind. Although Framacalc offers the essential functionalities of a spreadsheet, it has certain limitations compared to more developed proprietary solutions:

• Retention of documents for a maximum of 335 days
• Import only in CSV format
• Only one sheet per document
• Maximum 100 000 lines per sheet
• Less advanced features than Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• Lack of dedicated mobile application

Practical tip: Make a habit of regularly backing up your important documents by exporting them in CSV or HTML format.

Framacalc is a free solution offered by Framasoft

Here is an ideal solution for anyone looking to break away from Google. Framasoft, an organization engaged for 20 years in the ‘de-googling of the Internet’ and the promotion of free software, offers free and free alternatives to the services of large web companies. Well-suited solutions for use at school.

Framacalc is part of a large family of digital tools created by Framasoft like

• Framapad: for theCollaborative Writing
• Framaforms: to create questionnaires
• Framadate: to plan meetings
• Framagroups : for group discussions

An ethical and transparent project

Namely: Framasoft is a non-profit association, funded to 96% by donations. Its accounts are public and audited annually by an independent auditor.

Framasoft services like Framacalc meet three simple commitments. They are free and without ads. The source code is open and verifiable and the protection of users' personal data is guaranteed.

A project that belongs to you

By using Framacalc, you participate in a collective digital emancipation project. The association also encourages institutions that can do so to install their own instances of these tools, for greater autonomy.

Framacalc is an ethical and simple alternative, ideal for basic and collaborative use of a spreadsheet in the classroom.

Framacalc It may not replace all of your usual tools, but it offers a simple and effective solution for collaborative work in the classroom. Its immediate handling and its respect for confidentiality make it a valuable ally for educational projects on a daily basis.

By using it, you also help to raise your students’ awareness of the challenges of free digital and the importance of mastering its data. An opportunity to combine practical learning and digital citizenship education.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Framacalc without an internet connection?
No, a connection is required to access your documents and work collaboratively.

How do I share a document with my students?
It is enough to communicate to them the unique link generated at the creation of the document. This link can be integrated into your ENT or sent by email.

Is my data safe?
Yes, Framacalc is hosted in France and complies with the GDPR. However, avoid storing sensitive data such as personal notes.

Please note:

Framacalc vs Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel