Discover these 6 online spreadsheets that will make you forget Excel!
We all need a spreadsheet: to draw up a list, draw up a budget, distribute a survey... It has become an integral part of the daily life of many professionals. Who hasn't used Excel to collect and analyze data, track performance indicators and more?
Although Excel is a well-known and recognized office automation tool, few users know how to use it correctly, as it quickly appears too complex. Fortunately, there are alternatives to make it even simpler: online spreadsheets.
What is an online spreadsheet? And what are the benefits? Discover the answers to these questions, plus a selection of the 6 best tools.
Why choose an online spreadsheet over Excel?
Excel: a spreadsheet unsuited to teamwork?
Excel is still the benchmark. Yet it has one major drawback: it' s not collaborative. In the workplace, you often need to access a document at the same time as a colleague. When access is limited to a single person in write mode, the productivity of the whole business slows down.
The need for a shared spreadsheet then becomes obvious!
ℹ️ Note: it is now possible for several users to co-edit an Excel sheet simultaneously. However, several conditions must be met:
- have an Office 365 subscription;
- upload a workbook to OneDrive, OneDrive Enterprise or SharePoint Online;
- share the workbook with the person(s) concerned.
Office online support says: "Please note that if you have a business or school account, your version of Office may not support co-editing at this time. ".
The benefits of online spreadsheets: synchronization, collaboration and data access
Unlike Excel, which you have to install on your computer (on premise), online spreadsheets are accessible via a browser, thanks to a simple Internet connection. That's the magic of the cloud! ✨
They offer many other advantages:
- they automatically synchronize changes and update data on all media, for all users;
- they facilitate collaborative working;
- they avoid document versioning errors;
- they can be accessed remotely, on any device (computer, tablet, smartphone via a mobile application);
- they can be shared more easily via a link;
- they free up storage space on your computer;
- they avoid updates and version changes: evolutions are transparent to the user.
Working with an online spreadsheet means you don't risk getting stuck in your work in the event of a power cut, for example. Documents remain accessible offline, and data synchronization takes place as soon as everything is back online.
☝️ Last but not least, an online spreadsheet is often free. In fact, this type of tool may be available in the free versions of more global suites, to encourage users to adopt the entire ecosystem (Google Sheet with the Google suite, for example). Handy if you have small needs... and small means!
Selection of the 6 best online spreadsheets, alternatives to Excel
There are many different online spreadsheets, such as the well-known Google Sheet, or free or open source software, such as Framacalc, OpenOffice or LibreOffice.
In this comparison, we present several alternatives to Excel, available online.
1 of 5
 Google Sheets |  Canva |  ONLYOFFICE |  RowShare |  Zoho Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For all companies | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about Google Sheets | Learn more about Canva | Learn more about ONLYOFFICE | Learn more about RowShare | Learn more about Zoho Sheet |
Google Sheets
Users looking for an efficient online spreadsheet program usually turn to Google Sheets. This tool is part of the Google Workspace suite and features cloud storage linked to Google Drive. The main advantage of this solution? All you need is a Google account for free access. Enough to appeal to many users!
🛠️ Main benefits and features of Google Sheet :
- numerous functions: sum, subtraction, multiplication, fraction, average, minimum, maximum, interest calculation, depreciation, discounting, etc. ;
- cell sorting and filtering for customized data display;
- row and column formatting: data format, fonts, borders, row and column height and width, etc. ;
- insert rows and columns, merge multiple cells, etc. ;
- import and export data into your spreadsheet, usually in CSV, XLS or XLSX format;
- create and insert graphics and images,
- Gemini can now create complete project follow-ups or budget templates in Sheets from a simple text description; etc.
On Google Sheet, online saving is automatic and continuous, protecting you from bugs: in the event of a problem, your changes are not lost.
On the other hand, you may already have been slowed down by an overcrowded spreadsheet... Google has the solution: Google Sheets can now connect directly to BigQuery, enabling you to analyze millions of rows of data without slowing down your spreadsheet. ✅
Google Sheets
Canva
Well known for its graphic design functions, Canva also offers an online spreadsheet solution. Designed for professionals and home users alike, this tool makes it effortless to create elegant tables. Unlike conventional spreadsheets, Canva focuses on visuals and customization, making data management more attractive.
🛠️ Key benefits and features of Canva :
- customizable templates, designed by professionals and adaptable to your own needs;
- intuitive interface: easily add and modify tables, rows and columns;
- the integration of icons, images and shapes to enrich your creations and make them more attractive;
- add colors, fonts and borders to match your corporate identity;
- insert tables into your presentations, reports or any other design created on Canva ;
- access a wide range of features free of charge.
Canva's objective is clear: to transform figures into powerful graphic elements. Thanks to a user-friendly interface, even those less at ease with digital tools can structure and present their information with style. Tables are no longer simple grids, they become effective communication media.
Bear in mind, however, that this is a solution designed to enhance the visual appeal of your tables. It doesn't have the same calculation capabilities as Excel!
Canva
ONLYOFFICE
ONLYOFFICE is an open-source office and collaboration suite popular not only with SMEs, but also with the education sector and government organizations.
It features an intuitive online spreadsheet, much like Excel, as well as a word processor, a presentation tool and EDM and CRM functionalities, among others!
🛠️ Main advantages and features of ONLYOFFICE :
- two co-editing modes, in real time or temporarily locked;
- secure file sharing with rights management;
- easy tracking of modifications and revisions, and version history;
- data analysis, with graphs and equations added to reports;
- choose from 400 functions and formulas, and automate calculations;
- edit comments on cells and discuss with collaborators online without leaving the editor, etc.
This open source alternative to Excel has the advantage of offering high compatibility with MS Office formats, as well as a hundred or so software connectors, for integration with Alfresco, Nextcloud, DocuSign, ownCloud and others.
As an added bonus, the tool is regularly updated, can be self-hosted or used in the cloud, and is very affordable. A 3-month free version is also available.
ONLYOFFICE
Retable
Retable is a modern online spreadsheet program that combines ease of use with advanced functionality. With just a few clicks, you can create customized spreadsheets, either from an "intelligent" blank document, or from templates. You can also create dynamic forms from your spreadsheets.
🛠️ Retable's main features and benefits:
- creation and modification of spreadsheets without prior registration;
- automatic generation of forms from your spreadsheets, for easy data collection;
- synchronization of all your data;
- real-time collaboration on documents;
- templates for project management, content planning and more;
- the ability to connect Retable to multiple applications, ensuring the smooth flow of your data.
Retable's focus on collaboration means it's perfect for teams who want to work without constraints. Add data, track changes and adapt projects live, without losing information. The solution can be adapted to a variety of needs: project management, task tracking, event planning or data collection via interactive forms.
RowShare
RowShare is a collaborative online spreadsheet. It allows you to collect and classify data before putting it to use. Creating tables has never been easier: you can start from an existing template, or create one from scratch. More than a spreadsheet, RowShare is at the crossroads between your business software and a database.
🛠️ RowShare's key features and benefits :
- all users can modify tables simultaneously (instant updates);
- specific permissions by user, row or column;
- the creation of structured forms, designed to collect information without errors;
- access to numerous customizable templates;
- modification history;
- consultation and editing of your tables from a computer, tablet or smartphone.
RowShare's great strength also lies in the specialization of tables by business area: marketing, human resources, sales, project management, finance and accounting. Each department has a tool adapted to its own specific issues, to optimize project tracking.
Finally, a special mention for its access management system, which is simple to set up, yet powerful. For example, the table administrator can consult all the data in the table, but an external service provider will only see the data relevant to him.
RowShare
Zoho Sheet
Zoho Sheet is a comprehensive online spreadsheet program that combines ease of use with functional power. Designed for businesses and home users alike, it offers a flexible interface, perfect for organizing, analyzing and sharing data with ease. Accessible from any device, it facilitates collaboration and the automation of repetitive tasks. Whether you need to manage a budget, track projects or analyze trends, Zoho Sheet can be adapted to meet your every need!
🛠️ Key benefits and features of Zoho Sheet :
- create interactive spreadsheets;
- share your spreadsheets with colleagues, and discuss and solve problems using comments;
- analyze your data with precise reports (over 350 functions);
- publish your tables online, on your website for example;
- data flow automation, as you can integrate Zoho Sheet with over 1,000 cloud applications;
- integrated AI assistant: use Zia to obtain insights and suggestions based on your data.
Zoho Sheet's main asset? An intuitive interface, combined with advanced features like artificial intelligence and integration with numerous third-party applications. Unlike some spreadsheets, it focuses on data security and real-time collaboration, enabling teams to work together effectively, wherever they are.
Zoho Sheet puts an end to lost files and multiple versions! It centralizes everything, simplifies work and boosts productivity.
Zoho Sheet
What do I need to know about an online spreadsheet?
Choosing the right online spreadsheet is all about finding the right tool for your needs. Whether you're looking for greater simplicity, smoother collaboration or advanced functionality, there's no shortage of relevant alternatives to Excel. Each solution brings its own advantages, transforming the way you manage and exploit your data on a daily basis.
The challenge? Adopt a solution that combines efficiency and adaptability, while anticipating future developments in collaborative working and task automation. Are you ready to take the plunge and reinvent your data management?
Maëlys De Santis is Head of Marketing at Appvizer, where she leads the editorial strategy and oversees a corpus of more than 4,000 pieces of content to help small and midsize businesses choose the right software. Since 2017, she has written and supervised several hundred practical guides, solution comparisons and trend analyses covering a wide range of categories: marketing, project management, finance, HR, customer service, IT and collaboration tools.
Specialized in analyzing SaaS trends and assessing B2B offerings, she draws on feedback from the field, market studies and ongoing conversations with the ecosystem (publishers, integrators, events such as B2B Rocks). Her background in translation and communication is a key asset in turning sometimes highly technical software presentations into clear, concrete and immediately actionable advice for decision-makers looking to structure their software stack.