Switching to Sheets from Microsoft Excel

Overview: Differences between Sheets and Excel

Want to get more out of Google apps at work or school?  Sign up for a free G Suite trial
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Now that you've switched from Microsoft® Excel® to G Suite, learn how to use Google Sheets as your new spreadsheet program.

What you need:
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Account G Suite account
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Note: Comparisons are based on Microsoft® Office® versions 2010, 2013, and 2016.

In Microsoft Excel... In Google 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

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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