Google Spreadsheets turns up heat on Excel

Google is set to launch on Tuesday a Web-based spreadsheet program that will allow people to view and simultaneously edit data while conducting "in-document" chat, a company product manager said Monday.

The launch of Google Spreadsheets puts the search engine in even more heated competition with Microsoft, whose desktop-based Excel spreadsheet program is a standard office tool.

Google, which acquired the Writely Web-based word processor in March, is unleashing Web-based services of programs that propelled Microsoft to dominance on the desktop. Microsoft is responding by revamping its business to focus on Web services under the Windows Live and Office Live monikers.

News.com Poll

Would you switch from Microsoft Excel to Google Spreadsheets?

No: Excel and Office work just fine for me
Yes: Office is too pricey and complex
Maybe: I'm looking for alternatives to Office

View results

Google Spreadsheets, which will go live on Tuesday as part of Google Labs, supports the import and export of documents in the .xls format used in Excel and the .csv (comma-separated values) format, said Jonathan Rochelle, product manager for Google Spreadsheets.

The service provides automatic saving, so once a document is saved for the first time it is saved upon every change, as well as enables easy transfer of data from cell to cell, inserting and deleting of rows and columns and supports multiple sheets or tabs, he said.

Consumers must have a Google account to use the service.

[robbtuck]

Common separate values???

You mean "comma-separated values".

[pencoyd]

Looks like that typo was fixed

Comma separated values it is. Now.

[Christopher Hall]

Don't you see?

It's not a typo, brah. It's a zen approach to spreadsheeting.

Peace. Love. CSV files.

;)

[robbtuck]

Common separate values???

You mean "comma-separated values".

[pencoyd]

Looks like that typo was fixed

Comma separated values it is. Now.

[Christopher Hall]

Don't you see?

It's not a typo, brah. It's a zen approach to spreadsheeting.

Peace. Love. CSV files.

;)

[alenas]

Does not make much sense

I am sure there are few people who like to use word or excel files on the web, but it does not make much sense, because those WEB "Office" suites are slow, they do not support all browsers and they do not have much functionality.
Google thinks that everything that is on the WEB is cool. What a crap. I am using Office 2007 beta 2 at the moment and there is no way that i would switch to some crippled product (even if it is free). If people would need just basic functionality - they would use WordPad, but they are not. So why would they use Writely?

[Betty Roper]

It makes NO sense

Who uses spreadsheets? People in business. No enterprise will allow data -- especially financial data -- to be hosted on the servers of a company they don't have a contractual relationship with.

Google is directionless. It's clear that, outside of search advertising, they don't have a business plan.

[danielpjs]

Makes TONS of Sense

Alenas obviously works in a very traditional office environment or does not work at all. More and more companies are discovering the advantages of home workers. As this becomes more widespread, web based software solutions makes infinite sense. Especially one that allowspeople to collaborate remotely. Why do you think Microsoft has made it a priority to develop their own web based programming? Not only will it become more and more in vogue in the future but it also allows for a steady revenue stream for the software providers as opposed to the current one shot purchase. Clearly the ability to add more "bells and whistles" to traditional desktop office suites has reached its limit. Without developing their own web based solutions ... and charging a monthly fee to use them ... Microsoft will find itself in trouble.

[aSiriusTHoTH]

Good for groups...

This might be a very useful tool for people who work on spreadsheets on different computers. I work with a group whom we all look at the same spreadsheet. And have to Email it to the group each time a person makes a change.

This would be a very good idea for a group, instead of emailing it back and worth. It has its PROs and CONs

[alenas]

Does not make much sense

I am sure there are few people who like to use word or excel files on the web, but it does not make much sense, because those WEB "Office" suites are slow, they do not support all browsers and they do not have much functionality.
Google thinks that everything that is on the WEB is cool. What a crap. I am using Office 2007 beta 2 at the moment and there is no way that i would switch to some crippled product (even if it is free). If people would need just basic functionality - they would use WordPad, but they are not. So why would they use Writely?

[Betty Roper]

It makes NO sense

Who uses spreadsheets? People in business. No enterprise will allow data -- especially financial data -- to be hosted on the servers of a company they don't have a contractual relationship with.

Google is directionless. It's clear that, outside of search advertising, they don't have a business plan.

[aSiriusTHoTH]

Good for groups...

This might be a very useful tool for people who work on spreadsheets on different computers. I work with a group whom we all look at the same spreadsheet. And have to Email it to the group each time a person makes a change.

This would be a very good idea for a group, instead of emailing it back and worth. It has its PROs and CONs

[danielpjs]

Makes TONS of Sense

Alenas obviously works in a very traditional office environment or does not work at all. More and more companies are discovering the advantages of home workers. As this becomes more widespread, web based software solutions makes infinite sense. Especially one that allowspeople to collaborate remotely. Why do you think Microsoft has made it a priority to develop their own web based programming? Not only will it become more and more in vogue in the future but it also allows for a steady revenue stream for the software providers as opposed to the current one shot purchase. Clearly the ability to add more "bells and whistles" to traditional desktop office suites has reached its limit. Without developing their own web based solutions ... and charging a monthly fee to use them ... Microsoft will find itself in trouble.

[Captain_Spock]

It Appears That Both Excel and "Google Spreadsheets....

, which will go live on Tuesday (are a bit late since IBM Lotus "KONA" has already beaten them to the punch) as part of Google Labs, supports the import and export of documents in the .xls format used in Excel and the .csv (common separate values) format, said Jonathan Rochelle, product manager for Google Spreadsheet."; however it will be quite interesting to see what "disruptive" and compelling solutions Google Labs have to offer! Can't wait to take a "shot" at this "Online Analytical Tool" to see if it is up to snuff especially with IBM Workplace soon to be "powered" with IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5!

Re: "Lotus brews potent Java with Kona"

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.morochove.com/watch/cw/ff70206.htm" target="_newWindow">http://www.morochove.com/watch/cw/ff70206.htm</a>

"IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5"

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://stdemo75.dfw.ibm.com/" target="_newWindow">http://stdemo75.dfw.ibm.com/</a>

[Captain_Spock]

It Appears That Both Excel and "Google Spreadsheets....

, which will go live on Tuesday (are a bit late since IBM Lotus "KONA" has already beaten them to the punch) as part of Google Labs, supports the import and export of documents in the .xls format used in Excel and the .csv (common separate values) format, said Jonathan Rochelle, product manager for Google Spreadsheet."; however it will be quite interesting to see what "disruptive" and compelling solutions Google Labs have to offer! Can't wait to take a "shot" at this "Online Analytical Tool" to see if it is up to snuff especially with IBM Workplace soon to be "powered" with IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5!

Re: "Lotus brews potent Java with Kona"

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.morochove.com/watch/cw/ff70206.htm" target="_newWindow">http://www.morochove.com/watch/cw/ff70206.htm</a>

"IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5"

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://stdemo75.dfw.ibm.com/" target="_newWindow">http://stdemo75.dfw.ibm.com/</a>

[Captain_Spock]

THE SPREADSHEET "ARENA" IS...

... yet to be established and what the "world" sees ... is, what the "world" will get. So, do we think OpenOffice 2.0 (OpenOffice.org CALC) and OS/2 WARP and eComStation are DEAD? Think Again!

Re: "Serenity Systems has announced plans for a native OS/2 port of OpenOffice version 2.0."

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.ecomstation.com/gallery/index.php?g=OpenOffice.org_2.0_beta" target="_newWindow">http://www.ecomstation.com/gallery/index.php?g=OpenOffice.org_2.0_beta</a>

The big "question" is? Why pay "hundreds of dollars" for a product when "a forty-nine dollar" package can do just about the same thing! Now we will see which "products" make more "sense"!

[Captain_Spock]

THE SPREADSHEET "ARENA" IS...

... yet to be established and what the "world" sees ... is, what the "world" will get. So, do we think OpenOffice 2.0 (OpenOffice.org CALC) and OS/2 WARP and eComStation are DEAD? Think Again!

Re: "Serenity Systems has announced plans for a native OS/2 port of OpenOffice version 2.0."

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.ecomstation.com/gallery/index.php?g=OpenOffice.org_2.0_beta" target="_newWindow">http://www.ecomstation.com/gallery/index.php?g=OpenOffice.org_2.0_beta</a>

The big "question" is? Why pay "hundreds of dollars" for a product when "a forty-nine dollar" package can do just about the same thing! Now we will see which "products" make more "sense"!

[pbx001]

ibm

do you really think IBM is at all relevant? IBM could produce a better search engine that find you free money and the world would pass it by. success isn't about who's first... i recall OS2 beat Microsoft to the punch, but it sure wasn't a knockout! LOL!

[Captain_Spock]

"do you really think IBM is at all relevant?"

Now! now! now!... what ever gave "you" the impression that "spreadsheets" are about brand names such as IBM, Microsoft or OpenOffice... just where in those rows and columns do "you" ever see "IBM", "Google" et cetera, et cetera (and not numbers and formulas); and, not wanting to take you to task about more sophisticated functionalities... perhaps in the same way you have asked how relevant is IBM at this stage of the game (arena), you might also ask how relevant is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) functionality in the various 'SPREADSHEET' Applications! Duh is how relevant is IBM!

[pbx001]

ibm

do you really think IBM is at all relevant? IBM could produce a better search engine that find you free money and the world would pass it by. success isn't about who's first... i recall OS2 beat Microsoft to the punch, but it sure wasn't a knockout! LOL!

[Captain_Spock]

"do you really think IBM is at all relevant?"

Now! now! now!... what ever gave "you" the impression that "spreadsheets" are about brand names such as IBM, Microsoft or OpenOffice... just where in those rows and columns do "you" ever see "IBM", "Google" et cetera, et cetera (and not numbers and formulas); and, not wanting to take you to task about more sophisticated functionalities... perhaps in the same way you have asked how relevant is IBM at this stage of the game (arena), you might also ask how relevant is the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) functionality in the various 'SPREADSHEET' Applications! Duh is how relevant is IBM!

[john55440]

Privacy, Security, Performance

Other than privacy concerns, security concerns, and performance concerns, I think it's a dandy idea. -lol

I want my PERSONAL computer to stay personal, with my software and data on it.

[john55440]

Privacy, Security, Performance

Other than privacy concerns, security concerns, and performance concerns, I think it's a dandy idea. -lol

I want my PERSONAL computer to stay personal, with my software and data on it.

[pbx001]

working at home?

speaking of working at home, I hear that HP is not going to allow it much longer. and I hear the same is happening at Lockheed. seems to me that people are using Google alright at home, but more to wander the web than to work.

[CancerMan2]

Until There Is A Petrol Disruption

We are just a Middle East nutcase away from a supply disruption. The folks at these big companies better plan for a slew of teleworkers, not fewer.

[pbx001]

working at home?

speaking of working at home, I hear that HP is not going to allow it much longer. and I hear the same is happening at Lockheed. seems to me that people are using Google alright at home, but more to wander the web than to work.

[CancerMan2]

Until There Is A Petrol Disruption

We are just a Middle East nutcase away from a supply disruption. The folks at these big companies better plan for a slew of teleworkers, not fewer.

[Captain_Spock]

While There Is No Doubt...

... that "a Web-based spreadsheet program that will allow people to view and simultaneously edit data while conducting "in-document" chat..." will be a "real hit" amongst "WALL STREET as well as the INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL and ECONOMIC ANALYSTS; perhaps, it is too early in the "competition" to know who the likely "front runners" (Applications and Services Providers) would be! The "games" have only just begun!

[Captain_Spock]

While There Is No Doubt...

... that "a Web-based spreadsheet program that will allow people to view and simultaneously edit data while conducting "in-document" chat..." will be a "real hit" amongst "WALL STREET as well as the INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL and ECONOMIC ANALYSTS; perhaps, it is too early in the "competition" to know who the likely "front runners" (Applications and Services Providers) would be! The "games" have only just begun!

[amitpagarwal]

Google Spreadsheets Screenshots here

Google Spreadsheets screenshots from Tour page

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-spreadsheets-screenshots.html" target="_newWindow">http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-spreadsheets-screenshots.html</a>

[amitpagarwal]

Google Spreadsheets Screenshots here

Google Spreadsheets screenshots from Tour page

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-spreadsheets-screenshots.html" target="_newWindow">http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-spreadsheets-screenshots.html</a>

[Arvind.N]

More Online Spreadsheet Options

There are more online spreadsheet applications available. One such app is Zoho Sheet. Check it out at <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://zohosheet.com" target="_newWindow">http://zohosheet.com</a>

[scdecade]

also

numsum.com is another

[Arvind.N]

More Online Spreadsheet Options

There are more online spreadsheet applications available. One such app is Zoho Sheet. Check it out at <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://zohosheet.com" target="_newWindow">http://zohosheet.com</a>

[scdecade]

also

numsum.com is another

[nealsaferstein]

Trojan Horse

Why build an office suite. When you can make the market obsolete?

Neal Saferstein

[Inspector-Grammar]

Poor sentence construntion

Your post, if done correctly, should have been one question, Not a sentence and a question. Geez! It was one line....You couldn't take the time to proof read it.

Penalty: Three days without dessert.

Inspector Grammar

--
Many people seem to feel that sloppy writing is acceptable. To me, it is just another indication of the degradation of society.

[nealsaferstein]

Trojan Horse

Why build an office suite. When you can make the market obsolete?

Neal Saferstein

[Inspector-Grammar]

Poor sentence construntion

Your post, if done correctly, should have been one question, Not a sentence and a question. Geez! It was one line....You couldn't take the time to proof read it.

Penalty: Three days without dessert.

Inspector Grammar

--
Many people seem to feel that sloppy writing is acceptable. To me, it is just another indication of the degradation of society.

[Don_Dodge]

Google competing with OpenOffice

Google is directly competing with open source projects like OpenOffice and Sun's free StarOffice.

Google acquired Writely (word processing) and now has a spreadsheet. There was speculation last year that Google would partner with Sun to offer a version of StarOffice. Instead Google has decided to go its own way and compete with OpenOffice and StarOffice.

C/Net says "Google spreadsheets turns up heat on Excel" I don't think so. Microsoft Office is a powerful, industrial strength, client based, information worker productivity platform. Microsoft Office is moving beyond just being a collection of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to being a server based application platform for ISVs. Lots of companies run their business on Excel spreadsheets. Now creative start-ups are using Office as a front end User Interface to a whole variety of business applications.

I wrote a blog on this subject today <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://dondodge.typepad.com/the_next_big_thing/2006/06/google_competin.html" target="_newWindow">http://dondodge.typepad.com/the_next_big_thing/2006/06/google_competin.html</a>

[Don_Dodge]

Google competing with OpenOffice

Google is directly competing with open source projects like OpenOffice and Sun's free StarOffice.

Google acquired Writely (word processing) and now has a spreadsheet. There was speculation last year that Google would partner with Sun to offer a version of StarOffice. Instead Google has decided to go its own way and compete with OpenOffice and StarOffice.

C/Net says "Google spreadsheets turns up heat on Excel" I don't think so. Microsoft Office is a powerful, industrial strength, client based, information worker productivity platform. Microsoft Office is moving beyond just being a collection of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to being a server based application platform for ISVs. Lots of companies run their business on Excel spreadsheets. Now creative start-ups are using Office as a front end User Interface to a whole variety of business applications.

I wrote a blog on this subject today <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://dondodge.typepad.com/the_next_big_thing/2006/06/google_competin.html" target="_newWindow">http://dondodge.typepad.com/the_next_big_thing/2006/06/google_competin.html</a>

[pcpimpster]

My Company Can't Use This, But I Might

I'm the IT manager/software developer for an insurance auditing firm and Excel is (files managed from an in-house portable inventory application) used to complete audits of small to medium sized companies.

I haven't used GooXel yet, but from the screen shots it doesn't look up to par for the corporate world and unless there is a really good (hopefully there will be) web API
I can not integrate it into a disconnected app for portability.

I will use this though for "simple" spreadsheets, like pricing out my next server or desktop build.

If it has an API, maybe ill use it to archive the needed data onto googles servers.

But I have like 2 terabytes of data storage on my LAN, so why would I bother doing that?

The long range would be to write an app that replaces Excel.

Or

Anyone try InfoPath yet? It spits out xml or connects to a dbase by default and keeps all of the heavy forms objects in a template file.

Attach your templates/forms to any SQL dbase and you got an enterprise level platform a trained chimp could develop against.

It works over web service calls also.



















But if i already need excel for the hard stuff, why would i not just use it then for the simple
stuff.