It's still early days for a review for the
Google Spreadsheet - Google's latest offering, but then again here's my showdown. The timing for this software-as-service could not be better. With so much of hype surrounding
Microsoft Office 2007, people will definitely consider this as a free alternative to the arguably expensive Microsoft offering. Plus, the Spreadsheet fits right into Google's growing portfolio of online replacements to traditionally offline software. That said, there is quite some work to do before Spreadsheets can have a widespread appeal.
Pros:
- The interface seems very familiar and intuitive. In fact most of it is a direct import from Microsoft Excel. It will be very easy for the average user to adapt.
- Most (if not all) functions are supported. I was pleasantly surprised to see Vlookup working right out of the box. Data can be sorted and relative references work as well.
- Most (if not all) keyword shortcuts work as well. Your familiar F2 (edit), Ctrl-C (copy), Ctrl-X (cut), Ctrl-V (paste), Ctrl-Arrow key (next empty/filled cell), etc. are already implemented. Remember, a keyboard is way faster then a mouse.
- You can import and export spreadsheets in XLS (Microsoft Excel default), and CSV (Comma Separated Values). You can also export to HTML.
- Files are saved online and can even be shared. Heck, you can also chat with a friend as you both update your spreadsheet (though I can't think of a possible use for this).
- Multiple sheets are supported, and surprise, surprise, you can refer to cells across worksheets, just like in Excel.
Cons:
- It's just another Google AJAX application (ho-hum).
- There are somethings that are better left as they are. The formula bar is conspicuously absent. It is replaced with a small formula corner at the bottom right of the browser window. The corner is not sufficient to display long formulae. It should ideally be placed right next to the spreadsheet name at the top (backward compatibility please!)
- WE WANT MACROS! Working on a spreadsheet just isn't the same without them.
- The help mentions that you can anchor cells($) in formulae with F4 (as in Excel), but it does not seem to work as yet.
- I would really appreciate formulae tooltips. The tooltips in Excel really help me figure out the syntax for most formulae. Anyone who has used Vlookup would know how I feel.
- Any home user could *easily* surpass a 101x20 spreadsheet. I hope they increase the limit soon.
- (Not that I'm really missing this but...) You can't merge cells vertically.
For obvious privacy concerns, people working in companies would not (and should not) use Google Spreadsheets. However, this free alternative should prove as a boon for people not dealing with confidential data - students, home users, small business, even the local retailer. The impact of the tool to Microsoft Office's revenues will make an interesting market estimation study.
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