Google sheets (starter guide)

Description

Google Sheets is a web-based application that enables users to create, update and modify spreadsheets and share the data online in real time.

Google's product offers typical spreadsheet features, such as the ability to add, delete and sort rows and columns. But unlike other spreadsheet programs, Google Sheets also enables multiple geographically dispersed users to collaborate on a spreadsheet at the same time and chat through a built-in instant messaging program. Users can upload spreadsheets directly from their computers or mobile devices. The application saves every change automatically, and users can see other users' changes as they are being made.

Google Sheets is included as part of the Google Docs Editors suite of free web applications. This suite also includes Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Drawings, Google Forms, Google Sites and Google Keep.

Google Sheets is typically used for spreadsheet collaboration across different geographic locations. Multiple users can modify a Google Sheets document in real time, with changes tracked for each individual user.

Users can create and edit spreadsheets via the Google Sheets online web application, as well as through mobile devices running on iOS or Android. To use Google Sheets, a valid email address is required. Google Sheets enables users to do the following:

• Edit and format spreadsheets. Spreadsheet items can be added, edited, formatted and applied to formulas and functions through Google Sheets.

• Analyze. Google Sheets can visualize spreadsheet data in charts, graphs and tables.

• Share. Users can share Google Sheets documents and folders with others for real-time collaboration.

• Print and download. Users can open and import Google Sheets files into other document formats, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF and PNG (Portable Network Graphics).

Google Sheets vs. Excel

Google Sheets is often compared to Microsoft Office Excel, as they are both spreadsheet applications with many of the same core features. Here are a few ways in which Google Sheets and Excel differ:

• Price. Google Sheets for personal use is free, while Excel requires an Office 365 subscription. Google Sheets for business use with extra features requires a Google Workspace subscription.

• Cloud vs. non-cloud. Google Sheets is a cloud-based web application, while Microsoft 365 is accessed through the internet using a web browser.

• Collaboration. Typically, Google Sheets is preferred for collaboration, as it is fully web-based. While Excel has an online version, it does not have full functionality.

• Data processing. The speed and performance of Google Sheets can be limited by an internet connection, or if the maximum storage limit is neared. Excel can store 17 million cells, as opposed to the limit on Google Sheets, which is 5 million cells.

• Features. While Google Sheets has the core features of a spreadsheet application, its offerings are rather basic. Excel has a larger range of features and functions for specialized purposes, as well as more customization options and built-in formulas.

Who this course is for:

• This course is for beginners.