Overview: Differences between Sheets and Excel

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Now that you've switched from Microsoft Excel to Google Workspace, learn how to use Google Sheets as your new spreadsheet program. What you need: 10 minutes  Google Workspace account Get Sheets: Web (sheets.google.com), Android, or iOS

Note: Comparisons are based on Microsoft Office versions 2010, 2013, and 2016.

In Microsoft Excel...	In Sheets* ...
Collaborate in Excel for the web	Collaborate in real-time from Sheets
Share using Excel for the web or a shared workbook	Share directly from Sheets
Save automatically using SharePoint or OneDrive	Save automatically to Drive
Manage versions with History or Version History in OneDrive	Manage versions with version history
Add formulas and use Formula AutoComplete for suggestions	Add formulas and use formula suggestions that appear as you enter text
Record macros or use VBE	Record macros or use Google Apps Script
Create filters	Create filters and filter views
Insert recommended pivot tables or create one manually	Create pivot tables manually or automatically with Explore
Create charts manually	Create charts manually or automatically with Explore
Set notifications in OneDrive	Set notifications in Sheets

*Sheets instructions are web-only.

Table of contents

Section 1: Access Sheets 1.1 Get Sheets on your devices 1.2 (Optional) Add multiple Google Accounts 1.3 Create a browser bookmark 1.4 Add a Sheets desktop shortcut (Windows only) 1.5 Work offline (Chrome only) Section 2: Sheets and Excel best practices 2.1 Work with Excel files in Drive 2.2 Use Excel and Sheets together 2.3 Edit Excel files in Sheets 2.4 Import Excel data into Sheets 2.5 Convert Excel files to Sheets 2.6 Share a copy of a Sheets file in Excel format Section 3: Manage data in Sheets 3.1 Perform basic operations 3.2 Search for data 3.3 See changes to data 3.4 Restrict data sharing 3.5 Use keyboard shortcuts Section 4: Analyze data in Sheets 4.1 Add charts 4.2 Get automatic charts 4.3 Add charts to Docs and Slides 4.4 Functions in Sheets and Excel 4.5 Add pivot tables 4.6 Get automatic pivot tables Section 5: Use macros and add-ons 5.1 Automate tasks with macros 5.2 Convert Excel macros to Google Sheets 5.3 Do more with add-ons Section 6: Collaborate in Sheets 6.1 Share spreadsheets 6.2 Add comments and assign tasks 6.3 Email collaborators 6.4 Switch to an earlier version or name a version 6.5 Create filters and filter views 6.6 Protect content 6.7 Limit sharing, downloading, printing, or copying 6.8 Set an expiration date for sharing 6.9 See who’s viewed a spreadsheet Section 7: Export spreadsheets 7.1 Print spreadsheets 7.2 Download in different formats 7.3 Make a copy 7.4 Email a copy Section 8: Get Sheets productivity tips 8.1 Import data from Forms 8.2 Save time with templates 8.3 Find out if someone changes a spreadsheet 8.4 Add checkboxes to cells

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