diff --git a/.github/workflows/ubuntu.yml b/.github/workflows/ubuntu.yml
index fdda3c0346..6daa63b28f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ubuntu.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ubuntu.yml
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ jobs:
             sudo apt install libmpfr-dev #required by rmpfr packages
             sudo apt install libglpk-dev #required by igraph packages
             sudo apt install jags
+            # build freexl
+            git clone https://github.com/shun2wang/freexl.git
+            cd /freexl && ./configure && make && sudo make install
             
       - name: Install boost
         uses: MarkusJx/install-boost@v2.4.4