
Google Sheets Course And Certification
What is Google Sheets?
Google Sheets is a web-based spreadsheet application program used to create and edit documents online while sharing and collaborating with other users in real-time.
Google Sheets has been included in web-based Google Docs office suite offered by Google within it's Google Drive combo service.
The service provided by Google also includes Google Slides, Google Docs and a word processor and presentation program respectively.
Google Sheets is made available as a web application, and also as a mobile app for Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows, desktop application on Google's Chrome OS.
Google sheets application is also compatible with Microsoft Excel file formats. The application allows the owner/user to create and edit files online while collaborating and working with other users in real-time.
Works that are being edited are tracked by users with the help of a revision history presenting changes. New Feature Updates are introduced using machine learning, including "Explore", offering answers supported tongue questions during a spreadsheet.
Whether you’re just knowing about spreadsheet for the first time or you are an Excel veteran looking for a better way to collaborate, you can still get the most out of Google Sheets. We have 3 ways to create a new spreadsheet in Google Sheets:
First: Click the red "NEW" button on your your Google Drive dashboard and select "Google Sheets"
Second: Open the menu from within a spreadsheet and select "File > New Spreadsheet"
Third: Click "Blank" or select a template on the Google Sheets homepage. A new blank spreadsheet will be created(or a pre-populated template if you choose one of those).
The Google Sheets interface should remind you of a minimum of one other spreadsheet app you’ve seen before, with familiar text editing icons and tabs for extra sheets.
Features and Benefits of Google Sheets:
1. Real-Time Editing
One of the few key features of Google Sheets is that it accomodates collaborative editing of spreadsheets. Instead of emailing one document to multiple people, a single document can be opened and edited by multiple users simultaneously. The users can also be able to see every change made by other collaborators, and all the changes made are automatically saved to Google servers.
Google Sheets also have a sidebar chat feature that allows collaborators to discuss and comment on edits in real-time and make recommendations on certain changes. Any changes that is made by the collaborators can be tracked using the Revision History feature. An editor also can review and correct past edits and also revert any unwanted changes.
2. Offline Editing
Google Sheets can also be used for offline editing, and users can edit the spreadsheet offline either on desktop or mobile apps. On the desktop, users got to use the Chrome browser and install the “Google Docs Offline” Chrome extension to enable offline editing for Google Sheets and other Google applications.
3. Supports Various File Formats
Google Sheets has the ability to support multiple spreadsheet file formats and different file types. The user can save, edit, open or export spreadsheets and document files into Google Sheets. Listed below are some of the formats that can be viewed and converted to Google Sheets:
.xlsx
.xls
.xlsm
.xlt
.xltx
.xltxm
.ods
.csv
.tsv
4. Explore
The Explore feature in Google Sheets was introduced first in September 2016, and it uses machine learning to bring additional functionalities. This important feature provides lot of information based on the data added to the spreadsheet, and it can auto-update by itself depending on the data selected .
5. Integration with other Google products
Google Sheets has the potential and may be integrated with other Google products like Google Form, Google Finance, Google Translate, and Google Drawings.
Google Sheets offers a wide range of features, making it a powerful tool for data management, collaboration, and analysis. Here are some key features:
6. Collaboration & Sharing
The most quick benefit from the use of Sheets is in the ability to collaborate in completely new ways.
- Real-time Collaboration – Multiple users can edit a sheet simultaneously.
- Commenting & Mentions – Users can leave comments and tag others for feedback.
- Version History – Tracks changes and allows users to revert to previous versions.
- Sharing & Permissions – Set access levels (view, comment, edit) for different users.
7. Data Entry & Formatting
- Cell Formatting – Change fonts, colors, borders, and backgrounds.
- Conditional Formatting – Automatically format cells based on rules (e.g., color-code data).
- Data Validation – Restrict data input to specific values (e.g., dropdown lists).
- Find & Replace – Quickly locate and modify data.
8. Formulas & Functions
- Built-in Functions – Supports over 400 functions (e.g., SUM, IF, VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH).
- Array Formulas – Perform calculations on entire ranges of data at once.
- Custom Formulas – Use Google Apps Script to create custom functions.
9. Data Analysis & Visualization
- Pivot Tables – Summarize and analyze large datasets.
- Charts & Graphs – Create bar, line, pie, and other charts.
- Slicer Filters – Interactive filters to analyze data dynamically.
- Exploration & Insights – Google AI suggests insights and trends automatically.
10. Automation & Scripting
- Google Apps Script – Automate tasks with JavaScript-based scripting.
- Macros – Record and repeat repetitive actions.
- Triggers – Automate functions based on time or data changes.
11. Integration & Connectivity
- Google Drive Integration – Auto-save and access sheets from anywhere.
- Google Forms Integration – Collect form responses directly in Sheets.
- Third-party Add-ons – Extend functionality with additional tools.
- API Access – Connect Sheets with other apps via Google Sheets API.
12. Import & Export
- Supports Multiple Formats – Import/export CSV, Excel (XLSX), PDF, and more.
- Data Importing – Pull data from other Google Sheets, databases, or external sources.
- Web Scraping – Use
IMPORTHTML
,IMPORTXML
, orGOOGLEFINANCE
to fetch live data.
13. Security & Accessibility
- Offline Mode – Work on Sheets without an internet connection.
- Encryption & Data Protection – Secure files with Google security standards.
- Access Controls – Restrict editing, downloading, or sharing as needed.
Key Differences Between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
Feature | Google Sheets | Microsoft Excel |
---|---|---|
Accessibility | Cloud-based, accessible from any device with an internet connection | Desktop-based (Microsoft 365 version offers cloud support) |
Collaboration | Real-time collaboration with multiple users | Supports collaboration but requires SharePoint or OneDrive |
Offline Access | Requires enabling offline mode | Works fully offline by default |
Data Handling | Handles smaller datasets efficiently | Better suited for large datasets and complex calculations |
Formulas & Functions | Offers standard spreadsheet functions but fewer advanced features | Extensive formula support, including VBA scripting |
Automation | Uses Google Apps Script for automation | Uses VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) for automation |
Integration | Integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps (Docs, Drive, etc.) | Integrates well with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) |
Add-ons & Extensions | Supports Google Workspace add-ons | Supports third-party add-ins and COM add-ins |
Pricing | Free for personal use; Business plans available | Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription for full features |
Security & Privacy | Cloud security by Google; Less control over local storage | More secure in enterprise environments with advanced access control |
Similarities Between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
Feature | Google Sheets & Microsoft Excel |
---|---|
Spreadsheet Functionality | Both allow users to create, edit, and format spreadsheets. |
Basic & Advanced Formulas | Support for mathematical, logical, statistical, and financial functions. |
Charts & Graphs | Both provide tools to create bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and more. |
Cell Formatting | Allows users to format cells with colors, fonts, borders, and conditional formatting. |
Sorting & Filtering | Users can sort data, filter by values, and apply custom filters. |
Pivot Tables | Both support pivot tables for data analysis and summarization. |
Data Validation | Ability to restrict data input using predefined rules. |
Templates | Pre-built templates for budgeting, project management, and reports. |
Collaboration | Both offer collaboration features, though Google Sheets is cloud-native. |
Cloud Storage Support | Can save and access files from cloud services (Google Drive for Sheets, OneDrive for Excel). |
Which One Should You Use?
- Use Google Sheets if you need real-time collaboration, flexibility, cloud accessibility, and free usage for basic tasks.
- Use Excel if you work with large datasets, need advanced analytics, automation (VBA), or complex calculations.
Why Study Google Sheets
1. Gain essential Google Sheets knowledge and skills.
2. Become a better spreadsheet manager.
3. Job opportunities and career advancement.
4. Enrich your CV and attract better positions.
5. Increase your earning potential.
Google Sheets Course Outline
Google Sheets - Introduction
Google Sheets - All About Google Drive
Google Sheets - Getting Started with Google Drive
Google Sheets - Creating Google Docs
Google Sheets - Uploading Files to Google Drive
Google Sheets - Managing Your Files
Google Sheets - Sharing and Collaborating
Google Sheets - Converting and Printing Docs
Google Sheets - Getting Started with Google Sheets
Google Sheets - Modifying Columns, Rows, and Cells
Google Sheets - Formatting Cells
Google Sheets - Working with Multiple Sheets
Google Sheets - Creating Simple Formulas
Google Sheets - Creating Complex Formulas
Google Sheets - Types of Cell References
Google Sheets - Working with Functions
Google Sheets - Sorting and Filtering Data
Google Sheets - Understanding the New Google Sheets
Google Sheets - Understanding Number Formats
Google Sheets - Video Lectures
Google Sheets - Exams and Certification