What is it?
Google Sheets is a spreadsheet program offered as part of the Google Docs Editors suite within the Google Drive services.
What is its purpose?
Google Sheets allows users to access their spreadsheets across multiple devices, including Windows and macOS computers, tablets, and iOS and Android devices. Users can share their Google Sheets files with others and allow them to edit or only view. Google Sheets allows users to work collaboratively on the same file in real-time.
How do I use it?
Google Sheets is accessible through any internet browser and offers applications for download on iOS, Google, and Android devices.
Memorial University of Newfoundland is integrated with Google through @mun.ca email accounts. To sign in to Google Sheets, Memorial University users can use their email credentials using the Google Sheets website.
Once signed in to Google Sheets, users can access all Google Sheets files that are linked to their account by selecting their desired document.
Users can also create a new spreadsheet by selecting the multicolored plus sign (+) on the bottom right-hand corner of their screen.
Once a document is opened, users can choose to share the spreadsheet with others by selecting the Share button at the top of their screen and either entering the email address of their collaborators or by copying a shareable link. Users can then choose the level of access (editing or only viewing) they wish their collaborators to have on the specific file.
Why would I use it?
Google Sheets is simple and easy to understand and comes equipped with a variety of tools. Google Sheets allows users to upload and download documents in multiple file formats. Version edits are kept within the file to be able to go back to see past versions as well as suggest edits. Google Sheets allows users to continue working even without an internet connection. Google Sheets also comes equipped with data processing tools similar to Microsoft Excel and allows users to pull data from external sources.
Usage considerations
Depending on the size of the file, operating Google Sheets may use a significant amount of RAM. The larger the file size, the longer it takes to use the functions available through Google Sheets. Though the primary or basic operations are simple and easy to find and use, the more advanced options are much harder to find within the program. Though users can work on a file offline, users will have to make the file available to work offline before losing an internet connection. Synchronous work is not possible offline. Users who wish to collaborate on the document must have a Gmail account; otherwise, they will only be able to view the file. Though Google Sheets does allow for the creation of charts, it is hard to manipulate charts in different formats. It would require users to be familiar with the program to be able to locate all of the available tools.