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To understand the differences between Google Sheets and Excel and decide which one to choose, let's first explore their pros and cons. What is Google Sheets? What is Excel? This will provide a better overview of these spreadsheet tools.
Differentiating Google Sheets and Excel: Which one should you pick?
1. Excel supports advanced functions and features
Compared to Google Sheets, Excel has been around for a long time, making it difficult for other spreadsheet tools to 'catch up'.
Fundamentally, the functions and features between Excel and Google Sheets are quite similar. Both programs have user-friendly interfaces, equipped with a range of tools and different functions.
However, if you need to work with advanced functions and features to handle large datasets, Excel would be a more suitable choice. Conversely, Google Sheets is better suited for processing small and simple datasets.
Moreover, if you want to access and manage thousands of data cells easily without requiring access rights, Excel is the perfect choice. If you only need to create simple spreadsheets, using basic functions, Google Sheets is the choice for you.
2. Google Sheets allows users to collaborate and work together more effectively
Microsoft continuously strives to provide users with a better collaborative experience for its Office suite. However, these efforts have not been enough to 'defeat' the free online spreadsheet tool Google Sheets.
Google Sheets comes with built-in sharing settings, allowing users to control who can view, edit, and comment on their documents. Users can send invitations to specific users or simply create links to share, or they can create spreadsheets for public viewing.
Any edits or comments made are displayed in real-time, allowing users to quickly see which cells other users are using and working on. Additionally, users can track all changes made by clicking on 'Last Edit...' located at the top corner of the toolbar.
Excel also allows users to share documents and collaborate, but this feature is quite limited. Specifically, you can only share files via email. If you're using Office 365, you can access the edit page to track edits made by other users.
3. Google Sheets offers better synchronization and cloud services
Google Sheets is designed as a cloud-based solution, replacing Excel. Users can access everything from their Google account and can access and view all their data files from Google Drive.
Data synchronization is done automatically. When you create any spreadsheet file, it will be saved on Google Drive, allowing you to access the file anytime, anywhere.
If you're using Office 365, you can also synchronize files and data between devices, but on Excel 2019 or earlier versions, some settings need to be adjusted.
3. Excel supports better offline access
Although Google Sheets also allows users to access offline files and spreadsheets, there are still some limitations. Specifically, users need to install offline extension utilities to access and work on offline files, but these extensions do not always work accurately.
In case you need to access and work offline, Mytour recommends you choose and use Excel. You can also set up automatic file synchronization via OneDrive when connected to the internet.
4. Excel supports numerous functions and formulas
Google is trying to catch up, continuously adding new functions and formulas to its free spreadsheet tool. However, Excel has a much greater advantage in this regard compared to Google Sheets.
Firstly, the number of functions and formulas available on Excel is significantly higher than on Google Sheets. Not to mention, the documentation for Excel is also more extensive. Excel spreadsheet tool has been around for a long time and has become the standard tool for office workers.
5. Google Sheets is a free spreadsheet tool
In terms of cost, Google Sheets is entirely free, whereas Excel requires users to make a one-time payment to purchase the Microsoft Office suite or subscribe to Office 365.
- Download Google Sheets for Android
- Download Google Sheets for iPhone
This article by Mytour just answered your question about the differences between Google Sheets and Excel, and which one to choose. If you have any further inquiries or questions, feel free to leave your comments below the article, and Mytour will address your concerns as soon as possible.
