Google Spreadsheets: A Good Start

Let's get one thing straight. This is a great accomplishment. Possibly even the heralding of a new dawn of web-based office applications. Yeah, I know, there's already a web-based word processor. But this is Google, dammit. Can Google Office be far behind? (Edit: Yes, I know Google purchased writely earlier this year)

So I tried it out. And I liked it. Sort of. For creating simple sheets on the fly, it's ok. For sharing a simple spreadsheet with other people, and collaborating on it, it's great! For actually creating a serious working spreadsheet? Not so good.

I'm by no means a spreadsheet expert. I don't create them that often. I don't use all the options. I barely use any of the formulas. But when I do create sheets, there's one feature that I use almost every time. Fill Down. It works by taking the contents of the cell at the top of a set of selected cells and copying it into each selected cell below. It's a huge timesaver. And it's missing from Google Spreadsheets. Now I know, I can copy and paste paste paste paste paste, but what a pain in the ass that is.

Other than that? Meh. It's slow. I have a P4-3.4Ghz. I expect stuff to happen instantly. In Excel, stuff happens instantly. In Google Spreadsheets, stuff happens, eventually. Don't get me wrong, it's usable, it just isn't fast. It isn't what I'm used to. So thanks Google, but no thanks. Unless, that is, I want to collaborate.

The collaboration aspect is mega-cool. I tested it with a friend. We could both make changes to the sheet and almost instantly see each other's changes. Of course, it quickly degenerated into spreadsheet-based name-calling and insults,  but it is a genuinely useful feature. They even have a chat window in which you can discuss things as you're editing. Or call each other more names as you undo each other's changes. The way the collaboration works is super-easy. You simply type in someone else's email address (they only accept gmail addresses for now), and they get sent an invitation with a link. All they have to do is click the link, log in with their gmail address, and they're sharing your spreadsheet.

As far as features goes, it has basic font styling, horizontal and vertical alignment, all the requisite numeric formats, you can freeze rows, sort columns, insert and delete rows and columns, and choose from about a bajillion formulas, most of which I have absolutely no clue what they do, just like in Excel. But that's about it. In fact, there's so much missing, you feel like you're using some ancient spreadsheet from the DOS days. The great thing about online applications though, is that they can keep adding new features, and you don't have to do anything. No installation required, and no software bloat taking up ever-increasing amounts of space on your computer.

I give Google Spreadsheets two thumbs sideways. It's great for shared tables of information, such as schedules, but not so good for hardcore calculated sheets.

Link: google.com

6/6/2006 : permalink
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