Google Sheets vs. Excel: 2023 Comparison & Examples

Google Sheets vs. Excel: 2023 Comparison & Examples

Snigdha
By Snigdha | Last Updated on April 23rd, 2024 6:30 am

This blog is where I plan to compare the veterans Microsoft Excel with the new kid on the block Google Sheets. The two most popular spreadsheets Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, are used by most of the leading organizations every single day for their data management. Users can enter and manage all their data in different types, including numbers, text, graphics, etc., in a spreadsheet. You can also set formulas for calculations or connect individual numbers in the spreadsheet. Since its launch, Microsoft Excel has been at the top of the market among all the spreadsheet programs available online. Today, however, things have taken a steep turn as the spreadsheet veterans are facing intense competition from Google Sheets. In fact, it is possible to further boost up the potential of these spreadsheet programs by finding the right integrations between Google Sheets and other apps or Excel integrations using Appy Pie Connect. In fact, you can also use the no-code workflow automation platform to integrate Google Sheets and Excel together in case you want to leverage the best of both platforms.

Google Sheets vs. Excel - Main features comparison and differences

Overview of Google Sheets vs. Excel

Function Google Sheets Microsoft Excel
Real-time collaboration
Add collaborator
See modifications in real-time
Comment functions
Chat in real-time
Share spreadsheets
Send as email attachment
Share link
Publish
Share in the spreadsheet
Embed
Set up permissions
Read
Modify
Comment
Transfer ownership
Manage sharing
Specific people or groups
Anyone who has the link
Anyone in the domain with the link
Anyone in the domain
Set expiration dates
Publish online
Management
Restore
Access detailed versions
Track changes
Security and protection
Disable the ability to download, copy or print spreadsheets for people with read or comment access.
Protect spreadsheet or range
Prevent spreadsheets from being shared by others
Work with Excel files Must first be converted Can be opened directly
Create diagrams and graphics
Line, circle, bar and area graphs as well as scatter diagrams, histograms and maps
Formulas and pivot tables
Use formulas
Pivot tables or pivot diagrams
Create diagrams, graphics and statistical summaries with one function
Despite many key differences, the two spreadsheet programs have several similar features, albeit with differences in functionality and experience.

Offline/Online Functioning

Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel have significantly different functioning styles. Excel, or at least the traditional form of the program, works entirely offline, where you do not need an internet connection, and the users work on a file that is saved on the device you are working on. In contrast, Google Sheets is entirely online. While this means you need internet access at all times to keep working on Google Sheets, this also makes sharing a whole lot easier. You can share Excel files only through email or any other supporting platform. However, on Google Sheets, all you need to do is add people and give them the desired rights as a viewer, commenter, or editor. This takes collaboration to a whole new level where multiple people can work on the same file together. Every change is displayed in real-time, and you can access the timed versions to see who wrote what. Now, Excel too has launched its cloud version, and you can choose to use the online version by signing up for OneDrive.

Use of Functions

The standard functions for both Google Sheets and Excel work at pretty much the same level. In this case, users who switch between the two programs do not feel much of a change and have the same level of satisfaction in this regard. Both platforms have a fairly comprehensive set of functions that enable different activities, including adding diagrams, using formulas, and more! Yes, it may take the users some time to get used to the differences in the feature's location and the overall UI, but the functionality is more or less the same. However, as you graduate to more sophisticated features, Excel is the clear leader in this category. Especially in the case of macros, statistical analysis, and data modeling. Though both platforms offer these features, Google Sheets is only now adding these functions, while Excel has experience and time on its side.

Working with Graphics

Graphical representation of data is one of the most effective ways to convey a bunch of information in a small space. Excel is a clear leader in this category, as the data visualization tools on the platform are truly sophisticated and complex in a good way. Besides giving you great options for creating graphics from scratch, Excel also has excellent options for multiple types of display and ready-to-use diagram designs.

Formulas

Both platforms have a rich library of formulas. If one of them adds a new formula to their platform, the other one catches up quite quickly. Of course, both programs have all the basic formulas like SUM, AVERAGE, etc., but Excel has way more sophisticated formulas that are designed specifically for specific fields. Google Sheets, on the other hand, has specific formulas like GOOGLETRANSLATE, GOOGLEFINANCE, DETECTLANGUAGE, etc.

Ease of use

Though Excel is loaded with useful features, formulas, and functions, Google Sheets is brilliant when it comes to the minimalistic design and interface, which makes the platform a lot more easier-to-use. Excel can be overwhelming with its amazing features and functionality, whereas Google Sheets is much cleaner and presents itself as a user-friendly platform. Another significant advantage of using Google Sheets is that you don’t have to worry about saving your document, ever. The platform automatically saves all the changes you make to your spreadsheet periodically, so even if your device crashes in the middle of an important update, you do not lose any data! However, if you have any other functions or features that you value more than the ones listed above, it is a good idea to explore Google Sheets integrations or integrations with Excel

Top 5 Google Sheets Integrations

  1. Amazon Seller Central and Google Sheets

    2. Amazon Seller Central empowers sellers to do business on Amazon. It offers valuable insights into sales performance, pricing, and order management. The self-service tools in Seller Central are great for product search, product listing, order management, and inventory changes.

    Popular ways to integrate Amazon Seller Central and Google Sheets

    • Insert a new row in the specific spreadsheet on Google Sheets whenever a new order is created on Amazon Seller Central.
    • Create a new spreadsheet row in a Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever a new order is created on Amazon Seller Central.
    • Update a row in a specified Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever a new order is added on Amazon Seller Central.

  2. SharePoint and Google Sheets

    3. Sharepoint is a web-based platform for online project collaboration and communication. It helps organizations improve internal and external communication by providing a platform where they can access information and data anytime.

    Popular ways to integrate SharePoint and Google Sheets

    • Insert a new row in the specified Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever a new item is created in a list on SharePoint.
    • Create a new Google Sheets spreadsheet row whenever a new list is created on SharePoint.
    • Update a row in a specified Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever a new item is created in a list on SharePoint.

  3. Google Sheets and Microsoft Outlook

    4. A web-based suite of webmail, Microsoft Outlook helps you connect all of your messages, contacts, tasks, and appointments in one convenient place.

    Popular ways to integrate Google Sheets and Microsoft Outlook

    • Insert a new row in the specified Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever an event is added to your selected Outlook calendar.
    • Share your specified Google Sheet at a specified time before an event in your Outlook calendar starts.
    • Create an event on your designated Outlook calendar whenever a new row is added to the bottom of a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

  4. Google Sheets and OneNote

    5. OneNote is an efficient digital notebook for capturing, sorting and sharing your notes and the information you collected. The app helps you save or store everything in one central location and works across all your devices.

    Popular ways to integrate Google Sheets and OneNote

    • Create a new note in the "Quick Notes" section of your default notebook on OneNote whenever a new Google Sheets spreadsheet is created.
    • Insert a new row in the specified Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever a new note is created in OneNote’s notebook/section.
    • Create a new note in a specific notebook/section on OneNote whenever a new row is added or modified in a spreadsheet.

  5. Etsy and Google Sheets

    6. Etsy is a unique online marketplace that lets you buy and sell creative and handmade products.

    Popular ways to integrate Etsy and Google Sheets

    • Insert a new row in the specified Google Sheets spreadsheet whenever there is a new active listing on Etsy.
    • Update your Etsy shop details whenever a new row is added to the bottom of a spreadsheet.
    • Create a new Google Sheets spreadsheet row whenever there is a new active listing on Etsy.

Top 5 Excel Integrations

  1. Firebase Realtime Database and Microsoft Excel

    2. Firebase Realtime Database has unique capabilities to help you build rich applications that are great for collaborations by providing the users secure access to the database directly from client-side code.

    Popular ways to integrate Firebase Realtime Database and Microsoft Excel

    • Add a new row to the end of a specific table on Microsoft Excel whenever a new child object is added in a Firebase Realtime Database.
    • Creates or replaces a child object within your Firebase Realtime Database whenever a new row is added to a table in Microsoft Excel.
    • Add a new row to the end of a specific table on Microsoft Excel whenever a child object is updated in Firebase Realtime Database.

  2. Miro and Microsoft Excel

    3. Miro is an online whiteboard tool that focuses on collaborative abilities and allows dispersed teams to work cohesively and efficiently on every project stage, from brainstorming to planning and monitoring agile workflows.

    Popular ways to integrate Miro and Microsoft Excel

    • Create a new board on Miro whenever a new row is added to a table in Excel.
    • Create a new board on Miro whenever a new worksheet is added to a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.

  3. Discord and Microsoft Excel

    4. Discord is a wildly popular cross-platform communication app that was designed specifically for gamers but is suitable for anyone to chat with large groups of people.

    Popular ways to integrate Discord and Microsoft Excel

    • Assign a role to a user on Discord whenever a new row is added to a table in a spreadsheet on Microsoft Excel.
    • Add a new channel to a specific category of your choice whenever a new worksheet is added to an Excel spreadsheet.
    • Add a new row to the end of a specific table on Microsoft Excel whenever a new user joins the Discord server.

  4. Spotify and Microsoft Excel

    5. Spotify is a popular digital music service with millions of songs that listeners can enjoy. The platform has gained popularity because of its ease of use and rich collection of music.

    Popular ways to integrate Spotify and Microsoft Excel

    • Add a track to one of your playlists on Spotify automatically whenever a new row is added to a table in an Excel spreadsheet.
    • Create a new Spotify playlist automatically whenever a new worksheet is added to an Excel spreadsheet.
    • Save a track to your music library automatically whenever a new row is added to a table in an Excel spreadsheet.

  5. Notion and Microsoft Excel

    6. Notion is a collaboration platform that helps teams of all sizes communicate, share and collaborate flawlessly. Whether yours is a group of five or thousands, Notion is there to help you collaborate, communicate, and exchange ideas.

    Popular ways to integrate Notion and Microsoft Excel

    • Create an item in a Notion database automatically whenever a new row is added to a table in an Excel spreadsheet.
    • Update a database item on Notion automatically whenever a new row is added to a table in an Excel spreadsheet.
    • Add a new row to the end of a specific table on Microsoft Excel whenever a new item is created in a Notion database.

    Conclusion - Google Sheets vs. Microsoft Excel: Which is better for you in 2023?

    Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are both laden with comprehensive features. And Google Sheets, despite being relatively new in the market, has caught up with everything Excel is and more. On the other hand, Excel has launched its cloud services. So the bottom line is if your priority is functionality, graphic or visual presentation, and complex formulas, Excel is the right choice for you and your business. Excel also lets you handle complicated calculations, manage massive amounts of data across multiple tabs, and not have to worry at all about your data security. If, however, you are looking for something that is super easy to use and lets you collaborate with multiple people, Google Sheets will be perfect for you. There is, however, a third option where you do not have to worry about any compromises. You can explore what kind of automated workflows you can create using meaningful integrations between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.

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Snigdha

Content Head at Appy Pie

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