Excel Anki: How To Turn Spreadsheets Into Powerful Flashcards (And A Faster Way Most People Miss)

What People Mean By “Excel Anki” (And How It Actually Works)

Alright, let’s talk about this “excel anki” thing, because it’s way simpler than it sounds. When people say excel anki, they usually mean using an Excel spreadsheet (or Google Sheets) to create flashcards, then importing that file into Anki or another flashcard app. Basically: column A = question, column B = answer, export as CSV, import into a flashcard app, done.

Why do people do this? Because it’s fast to type big lists in Excel, especially vocab, definitions, formulas, or Q&A from notes. The downside is the import part can be clunky and technical. That’s why a lot of people now prefer apps like Flashrecall that can turn text, images, PDFs, and more directly into flashcards without messing with CSV files. If you want to try it, here’s the app:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Let’s walk through both: how to use Excel with Anki-style flashcards, and how to do the same thing way easier with Flashrecall.

How Excel + Anki Usually Works (The Classic Setup)

Step 1: Structure Your Excel Sheet

The basic idea:

• Column A → Front of the card (Question / Term)
• Column B → Back of the card (Answer / Definition)
• Optional:
• Column C → Extra info (examples, hints)
• More columns → Tags, source, etc.

Example for language learning:

Example for medical terms:

Keep it simple: each row = one card.

Step 2: Save As CSV (The File Format Anki Uses)

Once your list is ready:

1. In Excel, click File → Save As

2. Choose CSV (Comma delimited) (.csv) as the format

3. Save it somewhere you can find (Desktop, Downloads, etc.)

If you’re using Google Sheets:

1. Click File → Download → Comma Separated Values (.csv)

That CSV file is what you’ll import into an Anki-style app.

Step 3: Import Into Anki (Or Another Flashcard App)

In classic Anki on desktop:

1. Open Anki

2. Choose or create a deck

3. Click File → Import

4. Select your .csv file

5. Match:

• Field 1 → Front
• Field 2 → Back

(and any extra fields if you used more columns)

6. Import

You now have “Excel Anki” flashcards.

• Great for bulk creation
• Easy to copy/paste from textbooks, word lists, etc.
• You can edit in Excel, then re-import or update

• Importing can be confusing the first few times
• Formatting (line breaks, commas) can break stuff
• No built-in mobile workflow unless you sync with AnkiMobile or AnkiWeb
• You still need to manage images, audio, and formatting manually

The Easier Way: Skip Excel → Anki And Go Straight To Flashrecall

Here’s the thing: if your goal is just “I want spaced repetition flashcards from a list”, you don’t actually need to wrestle with CSV imports anymore.

• You can still paste in lists of text
• But you also get:
• Automatic spaced repetition
• Study reminders
• Instant flashcards from images, PDFs, YouTube links, and more
• Offline study
• Works smoothly on iPhone and iPad

You can grab it here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Let’s compare it directly.

Excel + Anki vs Flashrecall: What’s Actually Better?

1. Creating Cards From Text

• Type in Excel
• Save as CSV
• Import into Anki
• Map fields correctly
• Sync to phone if you want mobile

• Paste your list directly into the app
• Or type cards manually, super fast
• Done—spaced repetition is already set up

No file juggling. No “which field is which?” dialogs.

2. Creating Cards From PDFs, Images, And YouTube

This is where “excel anki” really starts to feel old-school.

• You usually:
• Read a PDF or watch a video
• Manually type Q&A into Excel
• Export CSV
• Import into Anki
• If you want images, you have to attach them manually in Anki, one by one

• Import PDFs, images, text, audio, or even YouTube links
• Flashrecall can generate flashcards automatically from that content
• You can still tweak or add your own cards on top

So instead of building a spreadsheet, you just feed the app your source material and start studying.

3. Spaced Repetition & Reminders

Both Anki and Flashrecall use spaced repetition, but the experience is different.

• Anki is powerful but can feel complex:
• Lots of settings
• Learning curve for card types, decks, intervals, etc.
• No built-in “nag you to study” reminders unless you set up something external

• Spaced repetition is built-in and automatic
• Study reminders so you don’t forget to review
• You just open the app and it shows you what’s due today, no config stress

If you like things “just working” without tweaking, Flashrecall is much more chill.

4. Learning From Your Cards (Chat With Them!)

This is something Excel + Anki can’t really do.

In Flashrecall, you can:

• Chat with your flashcards if you’re confused
• Ask follow-up questions like:
• “Explain this in simpler words”
• “Give me another example of this concept”
• “Compare this term with [other term]”
• It’s like having a built-in tutor for the content you’re studying

With Excel + Anki, your cards are static text. No conversation, just front/back.

5. Offline Use And Devices

• Excel itself is usually on desktop
• Anki has:
• Desktop (free)
• iOS app (paid, separate)
• Syncing can be a bit fiddly

• Works on iPhone and iPad
• Works offline once your cards are downloaded
• Fast, modern interface
• Free to start, so you can test it without committing

How To Recreate “Excel Anki” Inside Flashrecall (If You Still Love Spreadsheets)

If you like the structure of Excel, you can still use that mindset—just with less friction.

Option 1: Copy-Paste From Excel Into Flashrecall

1. Build your list in Excel or Google Sheets like normal:

• Column A: Question
• Column B: Answer

2. Copy the rows you want

3. Paste them into Flashrecall (in a new deck)

4. Quickly format them into cards (e.g., each line becomes a card)

You keep your spreadsheet workflow, but ditch the CSV/import headache.

Option 2: Skip Excel Entirely And Use Raw Text

If your “excel anki” use was basically just “I like lists,” you can:

1. Type a list in Notes / Google Docs / anywhere:

• `cat – el gato`
• `dog – el perro`
• `house – la casa`

2. Paste that into Flashrecall

3. Let the app split and turn them into cards

Same outcome, fewer steps.

When Excel + Anki Still Makes Sense

To be fair, there are times classic Excel + Anki is still useful:

• You already have huge legacy spreadsheets of Q&A
• You’re deep into the Anki ecosystem with custom note types and add-ons
• You like full control over every parameter and don’t mind a steeper learning curve

If that’s you, keep using Excel + Anki—but you can still use Flashrecall alongside it for quicker, more casual decks (like languages, quick exam prep, or business content).

When Flashrecall Is Just Flat-Out Better

Flashrecall is usually the smarter choice if:

• You want fast setup with no technical import steps
• You study from PDFs, images, or YouTube a lot
• You like being reminded to study instead of relying on willpower
• You’re on iPhone or iPad and want everything in one place
• You want to chat with your flashcards when you’re stuck
• You’re learning languages, medicine, school subjects, business, or exam content

You can try it for free here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Practical Example: Turning A Vocab List Into Flashcards (Two Ways)

Let’s say you’ve got this vocab list:

• apple – la manzana
• bread – el pan
• water – el agua
• milk – la leche

Method 1: Excel + Anki

1. Put it into Excel:

2. Save as CSV

3. Import into Anki

4. Map fields, create deck, sync to phone

Method 2: Flashrecall

1. Open Flashrecall

2. Create a new deck

3. Paste this:

```

apple – la manzana

bread – el pan

water – el agua

milk – la leche

```

4. Let Flashrecall turn it into cards

5. Start reviewing with automatic spaced repetition and reminders

Same result: flashcards. But one takes 30 seconds, the other takes… longer.

Final Thoughts: Use Excel If You Want, But Don’t Stick To It Out Of Habit

“Excel Anki” is basically a workaround from a time when flashcard apps didn’t handle bulk input or different content types very well. It still works, and if you love spreadsheets, go for it.

But if your real goal is “learn faster and remember more with less hassle”, then:

• Use Flashrecall to:
• Instantly make flashcards from text, images, PDFs, YouTube, and more
• Get automatic spaced repetition and study reminders
• Chat with your flashcards when you’re unsure about something
• Study offline on iPhone and iPad with a clean, modern interface

Give it a try here:

👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

You can always keep Excel and Anki in your toolbox—but once you feel how smooth Flashrecall is, you might not want to go back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anki good for studying?

Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

How can I improve my memory?

Memory improves with active recall practice and spaced repetition. Flashrecall uses these proven techniques automatically, helping you remember information long-term.

What should I know about Excel?

Excel Anki: How To Turn Spreadsheets Into Powerful Flashcards (And A Faster Way Most People Miss) covers essential information about Excel. To master this topic, use Flashrecall to create flashcards from your notes and study them with spaced repetition.

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