Google Sheets
Google Sheets is free spreadsheet software that is derived from the Google drive service. The application is accessible as a desktop application and as a mobile app on Android, Windows, iOS, etc.
Google Sheets is a multi-tasking application. It enables the user to edit online or offline, explore, support various files types and fuse with other Google products.
Microsoft Excel
MS Excel is spreadsheet software that derives from the package of Microsoft Office 365. It consists of a cell and grids to record data in table form. An Excel worksheet helps to build a budget, create graphs, analyze, edit, organize, calculate and format data. MS Excel is widely popular all over the world. They are used in business, accounting, office administration, project management, etc.
Major Differences Between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
1. Functions
Excel provides unique features like statistical analysis, macros, or data modelling. Though Google Sheets has come up with added macros, Excel is more versatile in this category.
2. Graphics
When it comes to graphics, Excel is highly advanced in data visualization. It is crystal clear that Excel provides high-quality graphical representation over Google Sheets.
3. Formula
Both Google Sheets and MS Excel are known to produce basic formulas. Google Sheets has unique features like GOOGLE FINANCE to merge stock market prices, while Excel provides a wide variety of advanced formulas. Excel has an in-built formula to create a flowchart or Gantt chart, but in Google Sheets, you need to create them manually.
4. Security
The files in Excel can be stored using passwords for solid protection. However, Google Sheets has associated with the cloud. It makes your data store digitally on the internet. But Google Sheets are equipped with HTTPS connection and two-factor authentication to avoid hacking.
5. User-friendliness
Google Sheet is simple, thus making it a user-friendly program. It saves your sheet automatically in your Google driver, whereas you need to manually keep the files in Excel.
6. Prices
Google Sheet is absolutely free of cost. It can be used anytime and anywhere you want. You can pay $5 per month for a business subscription. MS Excel is not free. You need to pay $ 8.25 per month to buy a package of Microsoft Office 365.
7. Chatting Facilities
Excel does not provide chatting facilities, but Google Sheets has sidebars that enable chatting facilities.
Benefits of Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets
Multiple Users can Operate and Format Files Simultaneously. Some of the Remarkable Features of Google Sheets are
1. Editing
Editing is one of the essential features of Google Sheets. It allows multiple users to edit simultaneously, and you don’t need to email other people for editing. The changes can be instantly saved to Google servers. Besides that, it also provides a sidebar chat feature to allow discussions among the users regarding the changes.
2. Explore
This feature offers information regarding the data that has been included in the spreadsheet. It also allows the user to ask questions, construct charts, visualize data, pivot tables, and format worksheets with distinct colours.
3. Offline Editing
Now, the users can edit offline on both desktop as well as mobile apps. The mobile users need to use the Google Sheets mobile app to enable offline editing, while the desktop users need to open chrome and download the “Google Docs offline”. Google Sheets also assists several spreadsheet files formats and types.
4. Amalgamation With Other Google Products
Google Sheets can fuse with other Google accessories like Google Form, Google Finance, Google Translate and Google Drawings.
Microsoft Excel
1. Storage of Data
Excel helps in storing data. When you store data, others can access it easily.
Create graphs- Excel comprises rows and columns that form a cell. Each cell consists of organized and filtered data to display in a visual presentation. Business users add charts and graphs to present data more efficiently. Excel proposes charts and graphs that are ideal for the type of data being shown on the axis.
2. Use Conditional Formatting
Excel enables you to format spreadsheets using distinct colour and font styles to distinguish between columns. This function is beneficial when you present accounting information.
3. Locate Data Together
Excel helps collect raw data and information from other files and documents or spreadsheets to assemble in a single place. Texts and images can also be imported from various files. You can even add spreadsheets or other objects using an Insert tab to the file.
4. Online Access
Excel is available online as a segment of the Microsoft Office 365 package. This shows that business managers and employees can connect to the program from any web-enabled device and location.
How to use Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets
How to Make a Spreadsheet in Google Sheets
- Visit the website of Google Sheets.
- Sign in to your Google account if required.
- Choose one of the templates in the “Start a new spreadsheet” part.
- Give a name for the spreadsheet in the top right.
How to Import Data to Google Sheets
- Click File, then Import.
- Select or upload the file to import.
- Configure import options as necessary.
- Click Import data.
How to Format Data in Google Sheets
You can choose between a standard decimal, percent, dates, currencies, etc. You can also regulate the number of decimal places shown using the main toolbar.
How to Merge Cells in Google Sheets
- You need to pick more than one cell and press the merge icon in the upper middle of the toolbar.
- How to use Google Sheets offline?
- Visit the Google Sheets website.
- Click on the menu in the above left and select Settings.
- Switch on the option that says “Offline”.
How to Apply Google Sheets Formulas and Functions
= is typed before starting the formula. You can enter particular numbers or refer to values in other cells by typing A1, A2, etc. To perform basic arithmetic, you can then manipulate these values with +, -, *, and / symbols to perform basic arithmetic. Click on the ∑ sign in the right above to get a complete list of functions.
Microfot Excel
Some of the Basic Procedures to use Microsoft Excel
How to Make a Spreadsheet in Excel
- To open a new spreadsheet, click on Blank worksheet.
- Tabs such as Home, Insert, Data, Review, etc., are present.
- To add a new worksheet, click the + (plus) button at the end of the sheets list
How to Copy and Paste in Excel
To copy, press Ctrl + C, to cut press Ctrl + X, and to paste press Ctrl + V any data.
How to Perform Basic Calculations
To perform basic calculations, type the formula and hit enter.
How to use Functions and Formulas in Excel
In an empty cell, type = before giving the function`s name to unlock the power of functions. There are several functions in Excel. To get formulas, choose the Formulas tab and click on one of the icons
Pros and cons for Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets
- Google Sheets is free and effortless
- It solely made up for collaboration
- It has a built-in revision history
- It consists of a real-time chat window
- It allows to open many sheets on one project and also apply other sheets format.
- It enables you to share documents and online editing with your employees.
- It autosaves your changes
- It contains scanted data visualization options
- It has restricted customization and formulas
- There is not plenty of online information about troubleshooting some inaccurate formulas.
Microsoft Excel
- Excel has advanced functionalities.
- It has limitless storage space.
- It offers high-speed execution.
- It contains vast options for data visualization.
- Excel is difficult to troubleshoot.
- Different versions of Excel make it uncomplicated for collaboration
- You cannot access the sheets from devices other than your own.
- Skills that are required for both
The ten Most Essential Skills Required for Google Sheets
- Drop-Down Lists with Data Validation
- Conditional Formatting
- Freeze
- Referencing Cells
- VLookup()
- Autofill
- Clean Presentation
- Unique()
- COUNTIF()
- IFERROR()
The 12 Most Essential Skills Required for MS Excel
- Data Filters
- Data Sorting
- Pivot Tables
- SUMIF
- COUNTIF
- Excel Shortcut Keys
- Charts
- Cell Formatting
- Vlookup
- Flash Fill
- Conditional Formatting
- Moving columns into row
Conclusion
As we can see, both tools have some merits and demerits. But getting ahead of that, both Google Sheets and MS Excel are excellent spreadsheet tools.
