How to Use Google Spreadsheets for No-Cost Data Analytics (
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Most users are unaware that Google Spreadsheets, a part of Google Docs, the online productivity suite that's free for individuals, has a majority of the features users look for in Microsoft Excel. Google Spreadsheets' analytics capability can instantly enhance your use of business, organizational or personal information. Knowledge Center contributor Oudi Antebi explains how Google Spreadsheets can satisfy virtually all of your daily spreadsheet needs, including how to use Google Spreadsheets for no-cost data analytics.
In
some ways Google Spreadsheets goes beyond Microsoft Excel and can
actually extend the enterprise user's capabilities. Google Spreadsheets
can help users in the enterprise with collaboration, visualization and
analytics. Here are some examples:
1. Collaboration
Google Spreadsheets
allows multiple users to work together in real time on a single
spreadsheet report. Even if you're not ready to replace Excel, you will
benefit from uploading your existing spreadsheet to Google
Spreadsheets, then inviting people to a collaborative session. When
finished, you can simply save your spreadsheet back to Excel or keep it
live on Google Docs.
2. Visualization
Google has built some interesting data visualization tools into its
free Spreadsheets application. These tools, known as gadgets, can be
added to a Google spreadsheet as needed. For example you can inset an
animated "motion chart" into your spreadsheet to show how data has
changed over time.
3. Data analytics
The analytical features in Google Spreadsheets are extremely
powerful, enabling numbers to tell stories that might otherwise have
never been found. By being able to "slice and dice" data, you can see
your numbers in a new light and gain important insights.
Pivot tables are a great case in point for the power of analytics.
By inserting a pivot table into your spreadsheet, you can instantly and
dynamically compare classes or information such as expenses over time,
sales by geography and so forth. Or you can quickly identify your top
10 (or bottom 10) products, vendors or salespeople.