The Most Widely Used Spreadsheet Software Today


spreadsheet software

People are looking for the best spreadsheet software that can help them enhance their work processes.  While data is key, it isn’t very meaningful when in disarray.  That is why business owners, project managers, and team leaders rely on spreadsheets software to visualize data in order to measure their success and make better decisions.

The good news is that there are a lot of online spreadsheet software products on the internet.  Unlike the traditional spreadsheet applications, the online software programs allow you to access data from anywhere.  It’s also easier for your team to collaborate on a single platform.

The following spreadsheet software programs are widely used today to organize and manage data.

1.   Microsoft Excel

The oldest and best-known spreadsheet software in the market is perfect for beginners.  The application supports graphical features such as charts, clip arts, smart arts, shapes, and pictures.  Microsoft Excel has database features like data validations, pivot tables, slicers, grouping, filtering, and sorting.  Beginners can use the software’s 486 in-built functions and 40+ templates to get started with their data management.

You can do calculations, formats, formulas, data analysis, and so on with Excel.  You can edit, share files, leave comments and attach sheets.  Excel has more than 1 million rows and over 16,000 columns, allowing you to handle large datasets.

Further, Excel is available in two variants: editor and viewer.  A free viewer variant is available on the web, but you can’t edit with it.  The main Excel app allows you to edit and access premium functions at $149 or opt for Office 365 at $7 per month.  The spreadsheet software is available for Android and iOS devices.

2.   Google Sheets

Unlike Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets has a free version that most individuals or businesses use.  The web-based solution has more than 400 functions and is available on Android and iOS devices.  The main advantage of this application is that you work on it online, and it has plenty of Google’s Workspace collaboration features.  That means you can easily edit, comment, and share the sheet in real-time.

Further, you can easily turn survey data or Google Forms into a spreadsheet, import Excel files, use AppSheet or Apps Script to turn spreadsheets into an app, or gain insights about your data using AI support.  Other extraordinary features include adding filters in order to view specific rows in the sheet, applying a color scale to attract attention to essential data, the use of data validation to make sure the cells have only selected data, sending an email with a comment a row and lock data in specific cells to prevent another user from changing it willingly or by mistake.

These features, although free, are backed by Google’s top-grade security.  Additionally, there are plenty of third-party add-ons to boost your workflow, and you have up to 15 GB of storage.

3.   Apple Numbers

The pre-installed spreadsheet software is available to MacBook users without charge and in 31 languages.  The application is simple and flexible compared to Google Spreadsheets.  In fact, it has 250+ built-in functions and 30+ defined templates to help you with simple data organization tasks.  However, Apple numbers can’t be used for larger datasets like Microsoft excel, but it lets you create beautiful spreadsheets.

Today, users can summarize, group, and rearrange data because of pivot tables, visually compare data with radar charts, and show and hide data using quick filters.  The software can now support instant translation and real-time collaboration of team-mates.  In fact, anyone can access the spreadsheet with tables and images using iCloud if you allow it.

4.   Zoho Sheets

The cloud-based spreadsheet software is free, available in 23 different languages, and allows you to create interactive spreadsheets offline.  That means you create checklists, track progress as well as automate everyday tasks using its 350+ pre-defined functions.

It’s easier for your whole team to collaborate with Zoho Sheets, share their comments, hold discussions and update each about the progress.  It has collaboration features such as user access control, cell and range-level comments, edit permissions, group discussions, etc.

Compared to other spreadsheet applications, Zoho Sheets offer slightly different security features on the table, such as user-level-based locks and audit trials.  Also, based on the requirement, a user can share part or the entire spreadsheet.  Further, Zoho Sheets supports Microsoft Excel, TSV, and CSV formats.

5.   SmartSheet

The tool lets businesses manage their data, create, streamline and automate workflows, and monitor tasks.  It supports Kanban view, Gantt charts, and other forms which help you organize your data.  You can use dashboards to create real-time reports, automate repetitive processes as well as integrate with a variety of third-party applications.  This enables you to work on SmartSheet without switching between apps.

Additionally, the spreadsheet software is the perfect choice for operation management, project management, financial services, higher education, construction, healthcare, and life, in addition to other relevant online businesses.

Because of its flexibility, around 75% of Fortune 500 companies, 90% of Fortune 100 companies, and other large corporations use SmartSheet.  The application has no free plan, but it has a free trial, and the paid version starts at $14 per month.

6.   LibreOffice

The Microsoft Office alternative is a free, powerful office suite that lets users handle large data sets.  It has several applications such as Calc for spreadsheets, Math for formula editing, Writer for word processing, Draw for vector graphics and flowcharts, Impress for presentations, and Base for databases.

Calc, which is its spreadsheet software has all professional features, including backgrounds, borders, cell formatting, and other advanced built-in functions.  The tool applies advanced DataPilot technology, which allows users to pull in raw data from their corporate databases, cross-tabulate, summarize and convert it into insightful information.

One of the downsides of LibreOffice is the lack of real-time collaboration, even though the spreadsheet software is a popular Microsoft 365 alternative.

7.   Salesforce Quip

The spreadsheet software is mostly a matrix of endless cells organized in rows and columns.  This makes Quip a perfect tool for organizing and crunching large data, but it’s not ideal for presentations.  It has 400+ in-built functions and works will different keyboard shortcuts.

With Quip, you can communicate with data as it’s a combination of an image viewer, word processor, and spreadsheet application.  You can create detailed presentations using this software, including spreadsheets, text, checklists, images, code blocks, and links.

The big advantage of using Quip is that you can reference the spreadsheet data in your document.  That means that when you change your spreadsheet, the values on your referenced word also change.  You can also use multiple spreadsheets in a single document because the software allows it.  Additionally, you can use several spreadsheets in one document.  Further, Quip lets you collaborate with others in one place.  Its documents support version history and permissions.  You can access the tool in an offline mode.

It’s available both on the web and on smartphones starting from $10 per user per month.  You can also opt for plans with advanced features at $25 and $100 per user per month.  Quip has no free offer.

Conclusion

The article has highlighted 7 spreadsheet software that allows you to manage your data and prepare presentations.  Some are free, while others are paid for but with free trials.  You can choose one that has advanced features that match your business needs.

Many businesses that use these spreadsheet applications have reported improved performance.  You can share your preferred tool and your experience using the spreadsheet software.


Purity Muriuki
I'm a passionate full-time blogger. I love writing about startups, technology, health, lifestyle, fitness, electronics, social media marketing, and much more. Continue reading my articles for more insight.

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