Excel vs Google Sheets

Difference Between Excel vs Google Sheets

The present era is of the information. The person who owns the data can rule the world. The person who can fetch out the required information from the given set of data will win the world and can manipulate the market by easily forecasting trends and market-based data. For doing such analysis, spreadsheets are the most common tool used nowadays by professionals as well as by laymen. The spreadsheet gives the edge for data storage and data analysis and to obtain the aimed analysis. Here we will discuss the Difference Between Excel vs Google Sheets.

Presently in the market, spreadsheets are developed by Apply (Apple Numbers), Microsoft (Microsoft Excel) and Google (Google Sheets). Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are becoming similar to each other as both try to compete with each other and try to put more and more functionality that helps the user in better analysis.

Microsoft Excel

MS Excel is the spreadsheet application developed by Microsoft that helps in doing data storage, data manipulation, data mining, and bringing out the information, which can help in the strategic decision-making process.

Google Sheet

Very much similar to MS Excel, Google Sheet is also a spreadsheet application. However, it is in the developing stage as compared to excel, but the platform is developing features that are highly useful to the users.

Head To Head Comparison between Excel vs Google Sheets(Infographics)

Below is the top 14 difference between Excel vs Google Sheets

Key differences between Excel vs Google Sheets

Let us discuss some of the major differences between Excel vs Google Sheets :

1. Excel is very much effective for the large database for its storage, mining, and analysis; however, Google sheets are useful for comparatively smaller data and for the one that requires limited functionality.
2. Presently, Excel supports around 400 functions in varied categories, which gives advanced analysis benefits to the user; however, Google sheets give limited functions as compared to excel.
3. At a given point in time, excel can be used in a single computer only, while Google sheets can be used in multiple computers, and all the users can work on a real-time basis in the same sheet.
4. Chatting facility is available in Google sheet in the sidebar; however, Excel does not provide such a facility.
5. Google sheets can be used online as well as offline mode; however, Excel can be used only in offline mode.
6. Excel is needed to be taken as a subscription of MS Office, which is expensive. But Google sheet is available as a part of G Suite, which is available freely in the market or has a negligible cost.
7. In Excel, a feature of track changes is available; however, the same is needed to be enabled, then only it can track changes. But, in google sheet, track changes are always enabled and can be verified on a real-time basis.

Excel vs Google Sheets Comparison Table

Let’s look at the top 14 Comparison Between Excel and Google Sheets.

The Basis of Comparison	Microsoft Excel	Google Sheets
Developed by	Microsoft Corporation develops MS Excel.	Google LLC develops Google sheets.
Launched as a pack of	MS Excel is launched as a pack of MS Office.	Google sheets are launched as a pack of G Suite.
Launching Year	MS Excel was launched in the year of 1987.	Google suite was launched in the year of 2006.
Languages that are supported in the application	Excel is Officially available in 91 Languages.	Google Sheets is Officially available in 83 Languages.
Large data sets	Excel is ideal for large data sets, and such data sets can be easily manipulated using excel.	As data size increases, it will start getting slow down. Hence it is more suitable for small data sets.
Chatting facility	The chatting facility is not available in Excel.	In Google Sheets, the Chatting facility is available in the sidebar.
Track changes	Excel has the feature of track changes. However, it needs to be enabled; else, change in data can’t be tracked.	In Google Sheets, track changes are always enabled by default. And the best part is such a track is available on a real-time basis.
Online, offline usability	Excel can be used in offline mode only.	Google sheets can be used both online as well as offline.
Cell Quantum	In Excel, around 17 billion cells are available.	In Google Sheets, a maximum of 2 million cells are available.
Number of functions	Excel supports around 400 functions in a varied category.	Comparatively, Google sheets support very limited functionality.
Usage in computers at a given point in time	Excel file can be used in a single computer at any point in time, and after usage needs to be shared with other users for further data editing from their computer.	Google sheets can be used on multiple computers through the internet on a real-time basis.
Cheap/Expensive	Excel is very much expensive as the whole MS Office pack is needed to be subscribed.	Google sheet is free, or the cost is negligible.
Linkage/Sync with external data	In Excel, Data is needed to be imported from an external source like the internet manually, and automatic linage based on functions is not available.	As google sheet works under the direct environment of google, google sheets can directly import data from the internet by using functions.
Advanced	Excel and Google Sheets spreadsheet with the best analytical tools and data storage capacity.	Comparatively not advanced as having limited functionality and is in still developing stage.

Conclusion

Excel will remain the best choice for spreadsheet users as it can work with large data and its ability to do advanced analysis by using various functions. On the other side, for the layman or small business purpose, who are having a small database or require a real-time update from their team, they will prefer Google sheets as it provides major functions that layman or small business people require. Also, Google sheets are freely available, and as a result, they can have the edge over excel.

Also, with the passage of time, more and more features and development is coming in the Google sheet, which bringing Google sheet in line of excel. Users will have to identify their requirements and need from the tool and have to choose either excel or google sheets.

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