Why do companies still prefer Google spreadsheets over MS Excel?

Talking about Google Spreadsheets I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine in the spring of last year. We came to the conclusion that the trends that were in vogue in the last century (although spectacular in their sphere) are not worth comparing to the now-rampant Gen Z vibes. 

With this in mind, do you think the narrative would be different between the older MS Excel and the younger Google spreadsheets? Read along as we bring you some eye-openers while answering the question of if truly companies still prefer Google spreadsheets over MS Excel and why?

Do Companies Still Prefer Google Spreadsheets Over MS Excel?

For the record, MS Excel was introduced in 1985, and ever since, many people have adopted it as their go-to spreadsheet program. Even world-class professionals have hailed MS Excel as a powerful tool capable of data organization, calculations, formulas, and other functions.

MS Excel indeed enjoyed its popularity for decades until the onset of cloud computing. Cloud computing, further propelled by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, changed the way we work, possibly forever! This paved the way for other programs that were better suited for cloud-based activities.MS Excel lost its title as the world experienced exponential growth and an upsurge in the amount of business data.

In today’s collaborative era, most business operations are now secured in a cloud-based environment, which is where Google Sheets got the upper hand over MS Excel. To put an end to the pre-cloud era, the world experienced a remarkable cloud-based event where many businesses (especially Excel users) moved thousands of their employees, data analytics, and databases to cloud-based platforms. 

That said, what functionalities make companies prefer Google spreadsheets over MS Excel?

Why Companies Prefer Google Spreadsheets Over MS Excel

I, for one, have been using Google Sheets almost daily ever since I learned its capabilities years back. Not to brag, but I’m pretty confident in my abilities as a self-taught expert in its functionalities. Additionally, I am a risk management expert, and at Smart Risk Sheets we provide EASY & FREE solutions to risk management. That said, let’s take a look at some of the functionalities/advantages of Google Sheets that would undoubtedly improve your productivity.

1. Cost-Effectiveness

One of the reasons why Google Sheets is preferred is because Google Sheets is free with a Google account. On the other hand, MS Excel requires you to make a purchase or subscription.

2. Analyzing Very Large Data Sets

When I initially started using Google Sheets, I thought it was only suitable for small calculations, like an advanced calculator. However, my thoughts changed when I realized that Sheets is just as powerful as desktop applications and can handle large financial models. It also connects to Google BigQuery, which allows for analyzing vast data sets.

3. Easy Collaboration

Some time ago, we used to have a master file that someone had to “own”. This file would be kept in a shared network folder or mostly emailed back and forth among users. Fortunately, Google Sheets brought flexibility where users can work on the same document/file at different times (asynchronous editing) or at the same time in real-time. Also, users can leave comments or assign tasks to people. These people can resolve them or mark them as done when completed.

In addition, Google Sheets features smart chips, which provide quick access to information without needing to leave the document. For example, you can see calendar events, who is responsible for tasks, and a link to their contact info. Lastly, you can choose who gets editing rights in a document. With comment-only and view-only options, you can keep the document secure while still allowing others to have a view.

4. Built-in Version Control

Have you ever lost hours of work due to a crash or an unsaved file? Google spreadsheets not only save your work automatically, but also feature version tracking. You can see this feature by clicking on “File” and then “See version history” in the menu. This feature displays a timeline of all edits made to the document. 

You can check who edited individual cells and when. With this feature, users can freely revert to any previous version or even trace the file/document to its creation. This feature is available to all Google Workspace users. However, MS Excel users need SharePoint or OneDrive to access similar features.

5. Cloud-Based Accessibility

As opposed to the bygone era of file transfers and compatibility checks, Google Sheets are entirely cloud-based. It can be easily accessed from any device as long as there is an internet connection. As a result, Google Sheets has become more widespread, and its popularity keeps growing.

Conclusion

Not to be biased, it’s obvious that Google Sheets offers several key advantages over MS Excel. They include easy accessibility, easy collaboration, and the ability to manage large data through integration with BigQuery. Additionally, users can enjoy automation options via Google Apps Script. Many companies prefer Google Sheets because it offers real-time collaboration, cost-effectiveness, and cloud accessibility from any device.

What makes Google Sheets more interesting is that it seamlessly integrates well with other Google Workspace apps. Google also provides continuous automatic updates and a simpler scripting language for automation. This makes it a practical choice for modern, remote, or budget-conscious teams.