Google Spreadsheet Alternatives for Insightful Visuals

What is a Google Spreadsheet alternative?

With the rise of digital tools, you must explore options beyond Google Sheets. Alternatives offer unique features, better performance, or a tailored fit for specific needs. Finding the right tool is important to manage data for business, project, or personal use.

Over 2 billion people use Google Workspace, including Sheets. However, some seek alternatives for advanced features, offline capabilities, or enhanced collaboration. Tools like Microsoft Excel, Zoho Sheet, and Airtable are gaining popularity for their unique offerings. Each caters to different preferences and work styles.

Imagine needing a platform that integrates seamlessly with other apps or one built for large datasets. A Google Spreadsheet alternative might provide faster processing or deeper customization. These tools improve efficiency and meet specialized needs.

Don’t get me wrong: choosing an alternative isn’t replacing Google Sheets; it’s finding the best solution for your tasks. Some tools focus on simplicity, while others offer complex, data-driven features. The key is to understand what works for you.

In this blog, we’ll explore the best options.

Table of Contents:

1. What is a Google Spreadsheet Alternative?
2. Why Do You Need Alternatives to Google Sheets?
3. Top 10 Alternatives of Google Sheets
4. How to Choose Google Sheets Competitor?
5. How to Use Google Sheets Alternative for Charting?
6. Wrap Up

First…

What is a Google Spreadsheet Alternative?

Definition: A Google Spreadsheet alternative is any tool that offers similar or enhanced features for managing data. These tools provide unique benefits, such as advanced analytics, offline access, or better integration with other apps.

Google Spreadsheet alternatives cater to different needs, from basic data tracking to complex data analysis. Businesses and individuals choose them for flexibility, performance, or specific functionalities. Exploring these options can help you find the best fit for your tasks.

Why Do You Need Alternatives to Google Sheets?

Exploring alternatives boosts your workflow and unlocks new features. Here are the key reasons why you might need a Google Sheets alternative:

• Performance and scalability: Google spreadsheets make handling small datasets easy. On the other hand, alternative methods handle larger files and complex calculations more efficiently.
• Limited advanced features: Google Sheets may need more advanced options. Tools like Excel or Airtable offer in-depth data analytics and automation capabilities.
• Offline access and connectivity issues: Google Sheets requires a steady internet connection. If you need offline access, there are tools to ensure uninterrupted productivity.
• Privacy and data control concerns: Self-hosted or encrypted platforms give you more control over sensitive information.
• Collaboration limits: While great for teamwork, Google Sheets has limitations in managing extensive collaboration. Alternatives can offer more robust sharing and editing options.

Top 10 Alternatives of Google Sheets

Whether you need advanced features, better performance, or just a change of pace, there’s a perfect alternative waiting for you. Here are the top 10 Google Sheets alternatives:

1. Microsoft Excel: The gold standard for data crunching and advanced analytics.

2. Airtable: A blend of spreadsheets and databases, perfect for creative workflows.

3. Zoho Sheet: Collaboration and automation rolled into one.

4. Apple Numbers: Sleek, user-friendly, and built for Apple fans.

5. OnlyOffice: Powerful and secure, ideal for teams.

6. Smartsheet:  Combines spreadsheets with project management tools.

7. Quip:  Collaborative and chat-friendly for team projects.

8. LibreOffice Calc: Open-source, free, and packed with features.

9. WPS Office Spreadsheets: Lightweight and versatile, with a familiar interface.

10. Coda: More than a spreadsheet, it’s a powerful document and app-building tool.

How to Choose Google Sheets Competitor?

Choosing a Google Sheets competitor can simplify your work. The right tool depends on your needs, team, and budget.

• Functionality: Look for tools with features like data analysis, automation, or offline access. These capabilities can handle more complex tasks than Google Sheets.
• Collaboration: Teamwork is important; choose tools with real-time updates and sharing controls. They keep you aligned and make group projects easier.
• Customization: A good competitor lets you adjust layouts and workflows to fit your needs. Flexibility ensures the tool works for your specific projects.
• Platform and integration: Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with CRM analytics, project management software, or business apps. Such connectivity streamlines workflows and enhances data-driven decision-making.
• Cost: Compare free plans and paid subscriptions to find what fits your budget. Only pay for the features you truly need.

How to Use Google Sheets Alternative for Charting?

Data visualization is essential for clear, impactful data analysis. Tools like Google Sheets often need to improve when creating dynamic, eye-catching visuals. Complex charts take time, and options can feel limited.

Enter ChartExpo—a powerful solution to Google Sheets’ visualization limitations. It’s designed to make stunning, insightful charts, transforming how you present and understand data.

Here are the top 5 charts and graphs created in Google Sheets using ChartExpo.

Progress Chart

Clustered Stacked Bar Chart

Likert Scale Chart

Sankey Chart

Multi Axis Line Chart:

Let’s learn how to Install ChartExpo in Excel.

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps” option.
4. In the Office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTAs to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations with a few clicks in your favorite tool.

Example

Let’s explore this sample data in Excel using ChartExpo, a powerful tool for analyzing and interpreting data effectively.

Payment Month	Interest ($)	Principal ($)	Remaining Balance ($)
Jan	41.67	147.05	9,852.95
Feb	41.05	147.66	9,705.30
Mar	40.44	148.27	9,557.02
Apr	39.82	148.89	9,408.13
May	39.2	149.51	9,258.62
Jun	38.58	150.13	9,108.48
Jul	37.95	150.76	8,957.72
Aug	37.32	151.39	8,806.34
Sep	36.69	152.02	8,654.32
Oct	36.06	152.65	8,501.66
Nov	35.42	153.29	8,348.37
Dec	34.78	153.93	8,194.45

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
• Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.

• Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.

• Once it loads, scroll through the charts list to locate and choose the “Multi Axis Line Chart”.

• After clicking on the chart, you will see the Multi Axis Line Chart on the screen.

• Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

• You can change the Data Representation as follows:

• ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

• If you want to have the chart’s title, click Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
• Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to change the title.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show.
• Give the appropriate title of your chart and click the Apply button.

• You can add the dollar sign with “Principal” as follows:

• You can then add a percentage sign with “Interest” as follows:

• You can add the dollar sign with “Remaining Balance” as follows:

• You can enable the Legend Show button as follows:

• Change the Legend shape of “Remaining Balance” to Column and click the “Apply” button.

• Change the Legend shape of “Interest” into a Line and Circle and click the “Apply” button.

• To persist the changes made to the chart, you can click on the “Save Changes” button.

• Your final chart will look like the one below.

 

Insights

• Monthly loan payments show declining interest and rising principal contributions.
• The remaining balance decreases from $9,852.95 in January to $8,194.45 in December.
• Steady repayment progress is evident over the 12 months.

Enhance Insights with Charts Through Google Spreadsheet Alternatives:

1. Open your Excel Application.
2. Install ChartExpo Add-in for Excel from Microsoft AppSource to create interactive visualizations.
3. Select the Multi-Axis Line Chart from the list of charts.
4. Select your data.
5. Click on the “Create Chart from Selection” button.
6. Customize your chart properties to add header, axis, legends, and other required information.

The following video will help you create a Multi-Axis Line Chart in Microsoft Excel.

FAQs

What is better than a Google Sheet?

Airtable blends spreadsheets with databases, which is perfect for creative projects. Excel excels at advanced analytics and large datasets. Try Smartsheet or Coda, offering powerful integrations and streamlined workflows for collaboration.

What is equivalent to Google Sheets?

Zoho Sheet is a strong Google Sheets equivalent, offering collaboration and cloud storage. Microsoft Excel Online mirrors its features for web-based use. LibreOffice Calc provides a free, offline alternative with robust functionality.

Wrap Up

Google Sheets is a powerful tool, but it’s not the only option. Many alternatives are available, and they cater to different needs. They work for businesses, teams, and individuals.

Microsoft Excel is a top competitor. It offers advanced features and works offline and online. Excel is great for professionals; many users trust it.

Airtable is another choice. It combines spreadsheets with databases. It’s user-friendly and visually appealing and also supports collaboration.

Zoho Sheet is also popular. It’s part of the Zoho Office Suite and integrates with other Zoho apps. Zoho is budget-friendly and cloud-based, and it suits small—to medium-sized teams.

For simplicity, try Smartsheet. It’s easy to use and versatile. Smartsheet supports project management and is great for tracking tasks. Teams value its flexibility.

Choosing the right alternative depends on your goals. Business users need robust processing tools, while creative teams prefer visually focused platforms.

Exploring alternatives doesn’t mean abandoning Google Sheets. It means finding tools that complement your work. Each has strengths that can boost productivity.

A Google Spreadsheet alternative empowers you to work smarter. It adapts to your tasks and preferences; you can enhance efficiency and achieve more with the right choice.