Google Sheets is a powerful spreadsheet editor that lets you collaborate on spreadsheets at the same time in your browser. It supports tools like advanced formulas, embedded charts, filters, and pivot tables to get new perspectives on data. Google Sheets enables employees to share lists, manage projects, analyze data, and track results together. With Google Sheets, you can edit spreadsheets created in other major spreadsheet software or convert popular spreadsheet formats like .xls, .xlsx, and .csv to Google Sheets to activate collaborative functions. Google Sheets works with or without an internet connection and has dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Accessing Sheets

Open your Chrome browser

At the top right corner, click on the Google apps icon or simply type in the URL sheets.google.com

Creating and Importing Sheets

Create a new file

In Sheets, click Blank or select a template.

In Drive, click New, and then next to Google Sheets, point to the right arrow and click Blank document or From a template.

Import a file

If you have existing files, you can import and convert them to Sheets files.

  1. Go to Drive.

  2. Click New and then File Upload.

  3. Choose the file you want to import from your computer to add it to Drive.

  4. In the Upload complete window, click Show file location

  5. Right-click the file and select Open with and then Google Sheets.

Converting your file from another program creates a copy of your original file in a Sheets format. You can then edit the file in your browser.

Collaboration and Sharing

Using Comments

  1. In Sheets, select the cell(s) you'd like to comment on.

  2. Click Add comment.

  3. Enter your comment in the box.

  4. Click Comment

Assigning actions

  1. To direct your task or comment to a specific person, enter a plus sign (+) followed by their email address. You can add as many people as you want. Each person will get an email with your comment and a link to the file.

  2. To assign the comment to a specific person, check the Assign to box.

  3. Click Assign

Version History

On your computer, open a spreadsheet.

At the top, click File and then Version history, and then See version history.

Choose the latest version. You can find who updated the file and their changes.

Did you know that you can see the version history of a particular cell in the spreadsheet? Just right-click the cell you want to review and select Show version history. You will see who edited the cell, when, and the value replacement.

Version History

Did you know that you can see the version history of a particular cell in the spreadsheet? Just right-click the cell you want to review and select Show version history. You will see who edited the cell, when, and the value replacement.

Sharing files

  1. Select the file you want to share.

  2. Click Share.

  3. Enter the email address or Google group you want to share with.

  4. To decide what role people will have on your file, select Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.

  5. Choose to notify people

  6. Click Done

You can also choose to share the file by copying the link and sending it out to other people.

Integration with Gmail and Chat

  1. Go to Google Chat or your Gmail account.

  2. Select a space. Expand the space to full screen.

  3. To open an already shared spreadsheet, point to it in the chat then click Open in chat. The spreadsheet opens to the right where you can make edits directly without changing tabs.

  4. At the top right, click Close

  5. Optional: To open the spreadsheet in a new browser tab, at the top right of the conversation preview, click Open in a new tab

Using Spreadsheets

Working with rows, columns, and cells

Add rows, columns, and cells

  1. Select the row, column, or cell near where you want to add your new entry.

  2. Right-click the highlighted row, column, or cell, and then Insert and then choose where to insert the new entry.

Delete, clear, or hide rows and columns: Right-click the row number or column letter and then select Delete, Clear, or Hide.

Delete cells: Select the cells and right-click and then Delete cells and then Shift left or Shift up.

Move rows or columns: Select the row number or column letter and drag it to a new location.

Move cells

  1. Select the cells.

  2. Point your cursor to the top of the selected cells until a hand appears.

  3. Drag the cells to a new location.

Using formulas

  1. Open a spreadsheet.

  2. Type an equal sign (=) in a cell and type in the function you want to use. Note: You may see suggested formulas and ranges based on your data.

  3. A function help box will be visible throughout the editing process to provide you with a definition of the function and its syntax, as well as an example for reference. If you need more information, click the “Learn more” link at the bottom of the help box to open a full article.

Tip: You might get suggestions to help you complete formulas with the relevant functions. You can accept or reject these suggestions.

To turn suggestions on or off, at the top, click Tools Next Enable formula suggestions.