Google Sheets for Chrome

Pros

• Web-based and free
• Fast access Chrome extension
• Create new spreadsheets or use the Template Gallery
• Access and edit spreadsheets on mobile devices

Cons

• It's an online App
• Not meant for hardcore spreadsheets uses

A core component in the search engine giant's online office suite, Google Sheets produces web-based spreadsheets. Like a reserved portion on a virtual office's desktop, the productivity App integrates with its fellow document-generating programs to deliver a powerful collection of interconnected white-collar tools. Having said all that, what can this web-based spreadsheet do for the everyday office worker?

Google sheets can be accessed in several ways. It's part of the search engine front page, so a click on the Google Apps button, located on the top right of the search page, instantly brings a collection of affiliated links and Apps to the fore. That same icon sits in the same spot on a user's Gmail page, so a single click takes the email webpage to the same group of links, which all live inside a pop-up window. The App isn't even open yet, and a consistent workflow is already in the works. Importantly, there's a Google Sheets for Chrome extension available from the Apps store. By installing this extension, a shortcut for the App is placed conveniently on the browser's toolbar.

On first opening the office software, the spreadsheet front-end is generated. This open tab on the Chrome browser doesn't go straight to the rows and columns of a standard spreadsheet. Instead of that action, the window brings up a productivity homepage. It's here that the web-based template gallery lives. Also, should the idea of a ready-to-use design not suit a particular application, then there's the Blank icon, a live button that takes the form of a "plus" icon. Mouse down on this button when an entirely empty and unadorned spreadsheet is required. For the majority of users, however, the template gallery should have a customized tabular form that will serve a desired data-processing chore.

The Google Sheets App manages to stand out from the crowd by providing a streamlined and user-friendly interface. The Blank pages are elegant and loaded with formatting features. Enter a function or formula in a table cell, organize arrays of data, and know the feature-rich software has enough inbuilt power to match any of its competitors, even the ones that are sold for hundreds of dollars. Google Sheets, incidentally, is a free download and free to use App. And, backed by the almighty search provider's brand, the software is designed to integrate with Chrome, which is possibly the most popular web browser on the market. Again, the free and intuitive Google Office App is powerful, but most spreadsheet users are going to head straight into the template panel, where there are customized offerings on display. They're split into categories, which include Project Management, Personal, and Work applications.

Use personalized Google Sheets to create reports, track trends, and to organize massive datasets.

Pros

• Web-based and free
• Fast access Chrome extension
• Create new spreadsheets or use the Template Gallery
• Access and edit spreadsheets on mobile devices

Cons

• It's an online App
• Not meant for hardcore spreadsheets uses