Google Sheets vs. Microsoft Excel: Which is the best in 2024?

Google Sheets vs Excel!

Evidently, these are the most common spreadsheets used all over the world by billions of people. But what are the differences between Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets?

Table of Contents

1. Google Sheets
   1.1. What are the Pros of Google Sheets?
   1.2. What are the Cons of Google Sheets?
2. Microsoft Excel
   2.1. What are the Pros of Microsoft Excel?
   2.2. What are the Cons of Microsoft Excel?
3. Google Sheets vs Excel: Unbiased Comparison
4. Conclusion
5. FAQs
6. Resources & Links

Firstly, the Google Sheets has evolved a lot from its early days. And, the company has endeavored to update its charts and improve the data crunching, and also launched pivot tables. But, has it done enough to surpass Excel, the King of Spreadsheets? In this post, we’ve compiled all the different between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel!

Additionally, here’s a tutorial video from Someka for a quick comparison of Excel vs Google Sheets:

Now, let’s dive into the pros & cons with an unbaised comparison.

1. Google Sheets vs Excel: Google Sheets

As an online app, Google Sheets is a free and cloud-based spreadsheet application. It’s not too much to say that Google Sheets is the first to compete with spreadsheet giant Microsoft Excel.

This is not a surprise, though. Google Sheets brought lots of advantages over Excel, and this helped a change in habits for many people, which seemed really hard considering the years of Excel domination.

Firstly, Google Sheets is one of Google’s wide-range of products, which gives it the advantage of easy integration with other commonly used Google products.

Also, it’s free, so you do not need to pay anything to start using google sheets. You need only an internet connection and a Google account to use Google spreadsheet.

Furthermore, evertyhing will be synced automatically! No more lost data because of unsaved files. You do not need to worry about clicking on CTRL+S during hours of work on the computer.

And lastly, collaboration possibility is another main issue that Google Sheets has managed to solve. You can use the same file with your colleagues. Simultaneous work is one of the most important advantages of Google Sheets.

Nevertheless, there’re still some big barriers ahead of Google Sheets. As Excel is still very powerful in terms of data analysis, one of the main usage areas of all spreadsheets. Also, the rich formula portfolio of Microsoft Excel also convinces people to stay in their comfort zone on the spreadsheet choices.

Let’s see the pros and cons of Google Sheets over Excel.

1.1. What are the Pros of Google Sheets?

• Firstly, it’s free!
• Also, you can collaborate with anyone live, as though you were sitting next to each other. With a single file share to a group you have the ability to comment in real time, as well as editing.
• It’s Google, which means Sheets can import data from any other Google services, as well as the Internet. There’s a cell function called GOOGLETRANSLATE which allows you to translate the cell’s contents, there’s even a GOOGLEFINANCE function that will grab current information from Google Finance, or historical information. To grab directly from the world wide web, use functions such as IMPORTFEED and IMPORTDATA.

• Google Sheets also provides good opportunities to integrate your 3rd party data. You can use sidebar apps to connect your sheets to your sales software and keep your dashboard refreshed all the time.
• Furthermore, a magical revision history that you access just by clicking on file… that shows you every time changes have been made to the spreadsheet, when they were made and who made them. Meanwhile, Excel requires multiple file versions to keep a record.
• Also, Google Sheets has the advantage of access from all devices. You can use your Sheets files from desktop, mobile, and tablet.

1.2. What are the Cons of Google Sheets?

• Certainly, the most important disadvantage of Google spreadsheet over Excel is the data analysis features. It is still not strong enough for a mid-level data analysis.
• Apps Script is also improving, but VBA is still deemed stronger.
• Also, Google Sheets work on your browser. So, data synchronization and speed issues might be possible according to your connection quality.
• Evidently, Google has done a lot for the data security. But it’s believed that it might still need stronger encryption.
• Lastly, the habits. Yes, it is always hard to break people’s habits, especially if you’re talking about one of the oldest software programs used by billions of people all over the world.

2. Google Sheets vs Excel: Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is undoubtedly the leading spreadsheet software program, with more than 1.5 billion users all over the world.

Developed by Microsoft as part of its Office product group, Excel is suitable for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS and iPadOs.

Firstly, Excel was introduced in 1985. So, people have a very strong loyalty for Excel. And supplementary products, such as thousands of online and live courses, Excel templates, add-ins, are also supporting this commitment.

Also, with new versions launched regularly, Microsoft Excel always keeps improving in terms of both functions and features.

So, as the earliest electronic spreadsheet, Excel provides users with a familiar interface. Therefore, it has a very solid place on its throne.

Let’s look closer at the advantages and disadvantages of Excel over Google Sheets.

2.1. What are the Pros of Microsoft Excel?

• Firstly, Excel was designed to crunch data and lots of it, so it has the edge over Sheets when it comes to that. Sheets will slow down when it tries to process thousands upon thousands of rows of data, but Excel was made for it. So, data analysis is one of the most important areas that Excel keeps its power. And, statistical functions are also helping this.
• Secondly, the tasks involving repetitive formulas is removed by the ability to automate, not to mention hacks like the ability to create your own auto fill lists.
• Macro programming via Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is also a time-saver when it comes to task automation. And macro recorder feature makes it possible for even layman users to automate their daily routines without any code knowledge.
• Also, the Sheets has evolved, but if your entire day revolves around crunching numbers then you need Excel, because of its advanced functionality. You will likely need to build data models, analysis statistics, and create complex macros, too.
• Additionally, there is a formula for pretty much everything, whether it be statistical, mathematical, or financial. You can also produce custom functions in Excel for your particular calculations.
• Lastly, it is highly versatile. In addition to its rich chart and diagram portfolio, you can also easily format charts to produce charming dashboards.

2.2. What are the Cons of Microsoft Excel?

• Obviously, the fact that Excel is not free is a very big handicap for this program. Although Microsoft provides various pricing plans, it’s still a paid software.
• You can use OneDrive features for collaboration, but this needs an extra work and arrangements.
• Furthermore, you can not work simultaneously with your colleagues on the same Excel file.
• Cross device ability of Excel is also questionable. It is compatible for many operating systems. However, we can still say that Excel is mostly a desktop software.
• Lastly, you should keep your record/version history by yourself. Excel does not have any automatic history feature. It does have a nice data recovery for the last minutes of your work before saving, but still you should be always careful about saving your files to prevent any possible data loss.

3. Google Sheets vs Excel: Unbiased Comparison in 13 Criterias

Therefore, let’s summarize everything in a Google Sheets vs Excel Comparison Table:

4. Google Sheets vs Excel: Conclusion

So, the choice is entirely yours! If you crunch lots of data, then it would be difficult to look beyond Excel. But if your spreadsheet needs are rather modest there is no reason not to give Sheets a shot, especially when it’s free.

Here’s a visual comparison for these two spreadsheets:

5. FAQs

1. Is Google Sheets better than Excel?

Microsoft Excel is more powerful as a data analysis tool. But Google Sheets has also pros such as being free, collaboration possibilities, revision history, and multi-device usability.

2. Can Google Sheets do everything Excel can?

Both Google Sheets and Excel have similar features and functions. But if you’re looking for an advanced data analysis tool, then Microsoft Excel provides stronger features. However, if you’re looking for a simple spreadsheet solution, then Google Sheets can also do nearly everything that Excel can.

3. What is the advantage of Google Sheets over Excel?

We can summarize the advantages of Google Sheets over Excel as follows:

• Being free
• Collaboration with colleagues
• Revision history
• Access from all devices
• Auto synchronization
• Integration with other Google services

6. Resources & Links for Google Sheets and Excel

Shortcuts: You can use Google Sheets shortcuts for a faster and effective way of working. Microsoft Excel shortcuts are also very common among office people.

Functions: Both spreadsheets has a wide range of functions for many needs: Google Sheets Function List & Microsoft Excel Function List.

Tips and tricks: It’s a highly underrated skill to master spreadsheets in the worklife. Here are some Google Sheets Tips and Excel Tips and Tricks that will carry you to a upper level.

And, for a summary of the differences between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, you can DOWNLOAD Google Sheets vs Excel pdf infographic:

Recommended Readings:

How to Convert Excel to Google Sheets?

Complete List of Things You Can Do With Excel

Can Excel be Used as a Database?