Google Sheets to Microsoft Excel

This article is for faculty, staff, and students who have never used Microsoft Excel before but have used Google Sheets. Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are both spreadsheet programs designed to take in and process data arranged in rows and columns. Due to their similar nature, if you are familiar with one of the programs you will most likely already be capable of using the other without much issue.

Basic Functionality

Manually inputting data and setting up calculations remains the same between the two. Double clicking a cell will allow you to add and edit its contents. Pressing the “=” sign on your keyboard will initiate the function mode and allow you to select which function to use from a list when you start typing. How these functions operate are the same as in Google Sheets.

Open

Google Sheets Microsoft Excel

Transferring a Google Sheet to Microsoft Excel

A Google Sheet is able to be downloaded to your computer in a compatible format with Microsoft Excel. Due to the extra functionality and power in Excel, this can be done with little to no loss in information.

Downloading a Google Sheet for Excel

1. Open the file in Google Sheets you wish to transfer to Excel

2. Select File → Download → Microsoft Excel

3. You should see a notification about your Google Sheet file downloading

4. Double clicking the downloaded sheet should automatically open it in Excel. If it doesn’t, right click the file → Open With → Excel.

   Open

   

5. Make any needed adjustments to correct charts or graphs!

Core Differences

While both Sheets and Excel share much of the same base functionality, there are a number of differences between the two programs. Highlighted below are the key differences that will most likely affect those transitioning from Sheets to Excel. (These explanations assume you are using the latest version of Excel provided by the University of Connecticut).

Accessing a Spreadsheet

Unlike Google Sheets, Excel primarily exists as a program that is downloaded and installed onto your computer. You can open a spreadsheet by either double clicking it on your desktop or accessing it through the file menu in the Excel program. Spreadsheets created on the installed Excel program and stored on your University OneDrive can be accessed from other computers with access to Excel and your University OneDrive.

Sharing a Spreadsheet

There are two options for sharing a spreadsheet in Excel, both of which are accessible from the share button in Excel located in the top right. If the spreadsheet is a newly created one, the following options will appear:

1. Please upload your workbook to share it.

2. Attach a copy instead

Uploading a copy of the spreadsheet will allow you to share a link with another user. Said user will be able to use the link to access the corresponding spreadsheet and view and edit the sheet according to the permissions you grant.

Collaborating on a spreadsheet

Multiple users can collaborate on a spreadsheet that has been shared to all collaborators. While collaborators have the document open any changes made to the spreadsheet will show to all others in real time.

Related Articles