The use of office software such as Microsoft Office, Wordperfect, OpenOffice.org, or even the latest online office application, Google Docs, is common among computer users. It is often embarrassing to have to choose between these different applications for a given task. This is even more difficult when it comes to Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheets and Google Docs. So what are the similarities and differences between these two applications? This article aims to help users of office applications make a choice between Excel and Google Docs based on their objectives.
Similarity between Google Docs and Excel
Google Docs and Excel share the ability to process, organize, and reorganize tables, transform our data as desired by formatting cells and editing formulas that they can execute afterward. They both also allow for the construction of graphs, as well as the import and export of different file formats.
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Differences between Google Docs and Excel
Some features of Google Docs are nonexistent in Microsoft Excel. In addition to being free, Google Docs offers its users the ability to work on a file regardless of their geographical location in the world, collaborate with one or more partners anywhere in the world on the same spreadsheet, and send and receive files via the internet. Google Docs also allows for the direct integration of a spreadsheet into a website or blog. As for Excel, it is very efficient in performing calculations on tables, creating graphs for visualizing numerical data of all kinds, and producing pivot tables and macros to automate repetitive tasks. Excel offers greater data security because it cannot be copied or accessed by the many bots that roam the web.
Both of these software programs have their strengths and weaknesses, but a choice must be made regarding their use. It is advisable to analyze the tasks to be done, the use of these tasks, as well as the position of the stakeholders before making a decision. It is always possible to start with one and migrate to the other later on.
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