Google Spreadsheet is a free online software that allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online. This software is now a standard for users worldwide because of its feature-rich functionality. In this blog, we are going to do an in-depth review of Google Spreadsheets – keep reading!
What is Google Spreadsheet?
Google Spreadsheet is part of the free office suite that allows users with a Google account to use the productivity tools made by Google. This product was first released back on March 9, 2006. After more than seventeen years, Google Spreadsheet has been able to stay standard for users.
This tool can be used on:
iOS
Mac
Android
Windows
ChromeOS
Some of the essential features of Google Spreadsheet are:
i. Editing and Formatting: You can edit according to your business/branding needs and format your data the way you want.
ii. Data Visualization: Google Spreadsheets allow you to create graphs/charts to make sense of data visually.
iii. ML Features: You can benefit from machine-learning based features to automate your processes in Google Spreadsheets.
iv. Platform-agnostic: It is possible to create, edit, and share Google Spreadsheets on all devices that support a modern browser.
Cell
Row
Column
Range/Array
Formula Bar
Conditional Formatting
Using Google Spreadsheet is a relatively simple process. A user who has a Google Account can start performing tasks Google Spreadsheet by signing into their account on their desired browser. The absence of a downloading and installation process makes Google Spreadsheet a great choice.
There are several reasons why it is preferred by individuals and businesses alike. For example, Google Spreadsheet makes it effortless to create and share documents with different people. A business can benefit from this feature and include all its stakeholders in the creation and management of sheets.
Electronic spreadsheets offered by Google Sheets are way more useful compared to traditional paper spreadsheets. For example:
Google Sheets provide superior visibility compared to traditional sheets.
Google Sheets automate computation with mathematical formulas.
Google Sheets can be edited by several people at the same time.
But there are certain disadvantages of using Google Spreadsheets as well. For example, if you give "Edit" access to anyone with the link to your sheet, then you won't be able to track changes unlike traditional sheets.
The automation features of Google Spreadsheets can also result in mishandling of data in some cases. And the biggest disadvantage of Google Sheets is that they can only be used on a computer with active internet connection unlike traditional spreadsheets.
Getting Started with Google Spreadsheet
After using your account info, you will be able to access the main menu by visiting the website https://sheets.google.com/. The main menu is presented in this way:
You can click on the "Blank" button to create a new spreadsheet. This file will not contain any data, and you can provide information according to your specific needs. You can provide data in given rows and columns and format your data with various tools available in Google Spreadsheets.
There are other options also available that allow you to streamline your user experience. For example, you can use free templates provided by Google to create a real-time document according to your needs. These free templates can save a lot of your time and enable you to focus on other tasks.
In certain cases, if you are given a specific link to a spreadsheet, you can click on it to access that specific file in your browser. You can also copy and paste the link to your document in the" Address Bar" to open within seconds:
All these steps can be used to create and access files on Google Spreadsheet within a few steps!
Spreadsheet's Real-Time Collaboration Function
Sharing a Google Spreadsheet is not difficult at all. If you are given the link to a Google Spreadsheet, you can access it without having to use your Google account. But in case you want to edit or suggest some changes to the sheet, you will be required to use your registered Google account to get started.
Here is how you can share a sheet you created with other people:
Access your desired spreadsheet.
Locate the "Share" button in the upper right corner.
Click on the "Share" button to manage "View/Edit" access.
Press the "Copy Link" button to get a link to the file you need to share.
This way, you can share the desired document with your coworker or any other person you are collaborating with.
Sharing this link will allow other users to view, suggest changes, or edit the file you created. Giving edit access will allow another person to collaborate in real-time in the document. With this feature, you can allow your remote team members to work on the same project.
There are no limitations to the "collaborate" feature as it works flawlessly on different devices. The good thing about Google Spreadsheet is that as its platform-agnostic, it can work great, provided that it's being used in a good browser.
The recommended browsers for using Google Spreadsheet are:
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Opera Browser
Microsoft Edge
Apple Safari
Some devices also have downloadable versions of Google Spreadsheet. For example, if you are using a Chromebook, you can use the app of Google Spreadsheet to access any files. You can also use the Google Spreadsheet app on your Android and iPhone smartphone.
Another great feature that enables users to collaborate on the same document effortlessly is the "Comment" feature. You can right-click on any cell you want to comment on to create a comment and share guidelines about a specific task on Google Spreadsheet:
By clicking on the "Comment" button, you will be asked to make a comment about a specific cell. Doing so will allow you to leave a comment that can be resolved or replied to by some other person. You can also receive notifications about the replies to your comments through Emails to your Gmail account.
Another good thing about Google Spreadsheet is that all comments are not scattered randomly. To make communication and collaboration easier, the platform allows you to see all the comments in proper order.
Making suggestions about changes to a document in a separate chat room can make it difficult for you to track your communication. To make things easier, you can use the comment feature to manage all your messages in one place.
Advanced Features of Google Spreadsheet
The good thing about Google Spreadsheet is that it doesn't provide you with limited features. If you are using this software to manage a lot of data, then you can consider using the "Advanced Features" to simplify and even automate your specific needs.
To get started, you can follow this process:
Open your desired Google Spreadsheet.
Navigate to the "Extensions" button.
Hover on the "Add-ons" button.
You can click on "Get add-ons" to use new extensions.
An add-on added to the sheet doesn't need to be in all cases. If you no longer want to use a specific add-on, you can click on the "Manage add-ons" button to revoke access to certain add-ons within seconds. To install a new add-on, you will click on the "Get add-ons" button, which will lead to this pop-up:
In this menu, you can explore both free and paid add-ons available for Google Spreadsheet. You don't necessarily need to try all the paid add-ons when getting started. If you want to explore if the add-ons can even suit your needs, you should consider using the free ones with your first document.
These add-ons can make it effortless for you to perform certain tasks. However, if you want to perform tasks that are not included in the add-ons manager, then you should consider creating a custom script by clicking on the Apps Script button:
This feature allows you to create custom code for any operation you want to perform in Google Spreadsheet. You don't necessarily need to create code from scratch, as you can use the existing "Libraries" and "Services" to create custom code in no time.
You can also boost your productivity in Google Spreadsheet by using the 'AppSheet" feature. Using this feature allows you to create an app that is personalized for your specific needs. You can also view some of the sample apps to test if it's a good fit for you.
Using all these features can enable you to include additional features to Google Spreadsheet in a short time.
Tips and Tricks for Using Google Spreadsheet
Your spreadsheet doesn't need to look bland and lifeless. If you want to boost the looks of your spreadsheet, you can consider using the "Format" feature. This feature will allow you to make changes to your sheet on the go:
You can find all these features to differentiate between your data easily to ensure that real-time collaboration becomes easier.
Another great way to save time when using Google Spreadsheet is to have shortcuts at your fingertips. Instead of pointing out different features on the sheet with your mouse, you can use keyboard shortcuts to save a lot of time and effort.
Here is how you can access the basic shortcuts for Google Spreadsheet:
You don't necessarily need to keep all your data on the servers. If you want to handle your data offline, you can consider using the "Download" button on the Google spreadsheet page. You can download your sheet in various formats to suit your specific needs.
Is There Any Free Alternative to Google Spreadsheet?
There's no denying that Google Spreadsheet packs a ton of features you can easily use. However, in some cases, you might have to pay for certain features of Google Spreadsheet or have to find an alternative for other reasons.
WPS Spreadsheet of WPS Office is arguably the best alternative to Google Spreadsheet you can use for your personal and business needs. The best thing about WPS Office is that you can use it for free. It's available for all the leading platforms and allows you to manage your work regardless of the device you use.
Another great feature of WPS Office is that it doesn't only allow you to manage spreadsheets. With WPS Office, you can do everything from creating documents to presentations easily. The presence of all these amazing features is the reason why there are more than 500 million active users of WPS Office worldwide.
You don't necessarily need to use WPS Office offline. If you want to share files with people around the world, you can consider using the Cloud feature of WPS Office to manage your work effortlessly in no time.
Conclusion
Google Spreadsheet has continued to add functionality according to the changing needs of the users. To ensure that you can get the most out of using Google Spreadsheet, make sure you follow all the amazing tips and tricks mentioned above.
