work visualisation tool make the mankind go round , and will by all odds liven up your before - lunch presentation . If you ’ve get punishing number to display to the mess , or graph - scribed projections you ’re eager to get onscreen , you ’ll need a powerful spreadsheet . You canuse Google Sheets , or you canuse Microsoft Excel — they ’re both gravid path to get the line done . But which of these two platform is truly the best option ? That depends on a numeral of thing , and we ’re not here to deter or further , but merely to inform .

We in reality enjoy Google SheetsandExcel , but for different ground . One software may not be idealistic for A , B , and C , although it may be really good at D , E , and F. Whatever the case may be , we put together this comparison of Google Sheets and Excel , with focus paid to indispensable categories like app program access , data point analytic thinking , and charts and graphs .

The basics

It ’s worth stating from the starting that both Sheets and Excel are excellent spreadsheet program program . So if you have the chance to assay them both out , you may have a cleared predilection from the start . But if you ’re doing your inquiry first , just recognise that you ca n’t go wrong with either .

Both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel have easy - to - use interfaces that are quite interchangeable to each other . you’re able to navigate using a mouse , or you’re able to useExcel ’s keyboard crosscut , just as you’re able to utilise cutoff in Google Sheets — each is as aboveboard as the other . You have a computer menu full of actions across the top , a toolbar or ribbon with tools below that , and then your sheet full of cellphone just waiting for data .

It ’s what you’re able to do with those cell and the data point inside them that may make the biggest remainder to you . Both applications offer functions , formulas , conditional formatting , data validation , and the other introductory puppet you ’d expect . So , let ’s take a spirit at the differences that stand out .

Application access

Google Sheetsis a World Wide Web - based coating with a fluid adaptation but no background option . This makes it well accessible from most any equipment . All workbook you create are mechanically make unnecessary to yourGoogle Drive , so you never have to vex about strike the Save button .

Microsoft Excel is a desktop software with a roving adaptation and web access as well . WhileExcel for the webdoesn’t offer all the same characteristic as its screen background vis-a-vis , it ’s still an choice if you use OneDrive . substance , you may get at the spreadsheet from your Excel desktop app on the World Wide Web if yousync them to OneDrive .

Data analysis

Both applications offer their own version of a build up - in tool to help you automatically analyse data point by asking questions . In Google Sheets , this is the Explore characteristic , and in Excel , it ’s the Analyze Data feature . Additionally , both applications leave sort out and filtering tools with advanced filter or filter views .

But Excel goes beyond with additional information features . For instance , you’re able to perform a What - If Analysis with Goal Seek or the Scenario Manager , make a Forecast sheet , make complex pivot man tablesand accompany pivot charts , and practice a slicer or timeline for modern filtering .

( As of this writing , you’re able to use pivot tables in Google Sheetsbut not pivot chart . Sheets also support adding slicer , but only seems to bid using timelinesfor certain Google Workspace users . )

Charts and graphs

An of import part of a spreadsheet practical app for many is the visualization options . Tools like chart and graph can give you or your consultation terrific visuals for analyzing data without actually reading the spreadsheet . Luckily both applications offer charts and graphs , but the extent of the tools take issue .

Google Sheets has a just solicitation of prosperous - to - make graphs and chart . You also have the pick to add an automatically generate chart using the Explore feature . you’re able to customize your chart and save it as an image outside of your sheet .

Microsoft Excel has a much largerselection of charts . You ’ll find more customization options and the selection to produce a chart template to recycle for consistence . you’re able to save charts outside of your spreadsheet in Excel as well .

Sharing and collaborating

If sharing the workload by get together on your spreadsheet is substantive , then you ’ll take account Google Sheets ’ collaboration feature over Excel ’s offering .

Both applications let you share your sheet of paper and adjust the sharing permissions to permit others to edit the sheet or simply regard it . And you’re able to share the workbook via email or a data link .

Cost comparison

If toll is a retainer , then you may want to wait deeply into Google Sheets as it ’s a detached lotion . There are subscription options for businesses and educational accounts as well as more storage ( retrieve , your weather sheet are saved to your Google Drive ) .

If you want to go beyond destitute , Google Workspace plansstart at $ 6 per month per user with access to other Google apps and business features , andGoogle One plansstart at $ 2 per month for 100 GB of reposition .

Other key differences

There are a few more differences to keep in thinker when compare Google Sheets to Microsoft Excel .

Excel ’s screen background version runs smoothly and laden quickly no matter how large the workbook or data within it . Google Sheets can both sense and load slower as you fill more and more cells and sheet in a workbook .

Google Sheets ’ memory is limited by the space available in Google Drive , whereas Excel on your background can employ as much space as you ’re willing to offer it .

Google Sheets can accommodate approximately 10 million cell with 200 sheets per workbook , according to Workspace Tips . ButExcel can handlebillions of cells and 255 sheets per workbook .

What are some other alternatives to Google Sheets and Excel?

Google Sheets and Excel are just a few spreadsheet platforms you’re able to practice . So if you ’d like to operate outside the box , there ’s a few other applications and World Wide Web tools you’re able to try .

One of them is Airtable , a terrific workplace collaboration program that uses task scorecard as the primary organization method acting . you may even convert cards into actionable forms , and take advantage of many visualizations and formatting mapping .

If your workplace is MacOS - favor , we also recommendApple number . This software generates telling chart base on the stats you input , and it ’s also destitute to employ .

Is Google Sheets safe to use?

Because Google Sheets put in your data point to Google ’s cloud server , you may be wondering if the spreadsheet software is safe to apply . First and foremost , any type you ’re using a program that requires internet approach , there ’s going to be some level of jeopardy of your automobile or score getting hacked .

Fortunately , Google takes substance abuser data point very seriously . Whenever you make a new file in Google Sheets , it automatically receives close - to - end encoding . And if you settle you ’d like to download your Google Sheets file , it ’s only stored topically ( on whatever gimmick you ’re using ) .

The bottom line

If you ’re concerned with cost , need goodish collaboration options , and need the power to access your workbook from any electronic computer , then Google Sheets is for you .

If you need full-bodied data analysis and visual image tools , do n’t want to swear on an internet connection , and are looking for overall in advance functionality , then you ’ll favour Microsoft Excel .

So , which will it be ? If you are planning to flip-flop , make trusted you knowhow to commute Excel spreadsheets to Google Sheets .

If you have another software conclusion to make , take a look at ourGoogle Docs versus Microsoft Wordcomparison .