R and Excel have benefits that in many ways do not overlap, I use both to good effect. But Excel has and will continue to be responsible for major errors in data analysis [1,2]. Its default autoformat/correct behaviour will without fail screw up your data at some point. Therefore, although you make a valid point, I wouldn't go so far as to say it is the 'better' choice.

[1] http://retractionwatch.com/2013/04/18/influential-reinhart-r...

[2] https://genomebiology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13...