Damson Cloud – Google Sheets vs Microsoft Excel in 2026: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel is rarely a technical decision – it’s all about how your teams actually work day to day. Often, businesses find themselves questioning whether desktop‑heavy spreadsheets are still fit for purpose, or whether it’s time to move to something more collaborative and cloud-based.

In 2026, both tools are more capable than ever, but they are chosen for different reasons. Google Sheets sits within Google Workspace, connects with BigQuery, and offers array formulas, the QUERY function, and the LAMBDA function, giving teams a convenient way to share, update, and analyse data together. Excel remains a popular choice for large datasets and complex financial models, especially for those already working within the Microsoft 365 environment.

If you’re considering a migration to Google Workspace, this guide will walk through how Sheets and Excel compare in the real world - and where a structured approach to Google Sheets training can help you get the best of both.

Key Differences Between Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel

Dependable Spreadsheets for Modern Businesses

At Damson Cloud, many of the organisations we support share the same requirements for spreadsheet tools that can handle data, support flexible ways of working, and enable real-world teamwork. Here’s how Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel work in the real world.

Cost, Accessibility, and Flexibility

Overall cost and ease of access are often priorities for businesses of all sizes. Google Sheets is included in Google Workspace and works across all devices without additional installations. For many, this means predictable licensing and fewer queries about “which version” someone is on. Whereas, Excel is typically licensed as part of Microsoft 365, and the desktop app remains essential to many businesses, resulting in a mix of desktop, web, and older versions in use.

From a flexibility perspective, Sheets supports remote and hybrid work because users only need a browser and sign‑in details, and every user is always on the latest version with automatic updates. Excel remains beneficial for office-based users, but IT teams still need to manage desktop updates and consider differences between local and web experiences.

Daily Usability and Advanced Features

Both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel can handle day‑to‑day spreadsheets, but they feel different to use. Sheets focuses on simple, consistent menus, real‑time collaboration and an interface that mirrors other Google Workspace apps, with familiar formulas and functions that cover most reporting and analysis needs. For many users, this makes it easier to complete tasks such as preparing reports without specialist knowledge. However, Excel is still popular for more complex financial needs.

In practice, Sheets often wins on daily usability for most teams, while Excel remains a specialist tool for niche work. That being said, Google Sheets offers extensions such as Macros, Apps Script, AppSheet, and Looker, making it more adaptable to the specific needs of accounting, data analysis, logistics, and engineering teams. For employees looking to reduce manual workload, Google Sheets also supports this through Apps Script, a no‑code app platform that enables organisations to automate everyday tasks. Excel also offers automation options, but to make the most of VBA, users require coding knowledge to create custom macros.

Integration and Security

Integration and security guide long‑term decision-making just as much as features. Google Sheets is integrated with the rest of Google Workspace – including Drive, Docs, Slides, Forms, Calendar and Gmail. With sharing, permissions and Data Loss Prevention managed centrally, IT can have blanket security rules. Excel integrates with Microsoft 365 services such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams, which is an advantage if you already use Microsoft 365.

From a security and administration point of view, the real question is which ecosystem do you want to use? If you’re migrating to Google Workspace, using Sheets gives you more consistent control over sharing, access and compliance. It also simplifies auditing with a clear version history and cell‑level edit history, so you can see who changed what and when. In Excel, version history depends more on where the file is stored and how OneDrive or SharePoint is configured, which can make it harder for non‑technical users to track changes and recover from mistakes.

Where Each Platform Stands Out

It can help to look at how each spreadsheet tool performs in specific scenarios. For example, a sales team updating pipeline numbers or an operations team tracking tasks will usually benefit from a live Google Sheet that everyone can edit and comment on together. This reduces version confusion and makes it easier to maintain a single source of truth.

On the other hand, a finance team that needs complex financial modelling may still prefer to use Excel on their desktops. This provides a wide range of functions and features, with advanced analytics, which can save hours when working with large datasets. Although it is possible to use Google Sheets for complex cash‑flow models, scenario planning, or regulatory reports, so it often comes down to personal preference rather than capabilities.

Who Should Choose Google Sheets? Who Should Choose Microsoft Excel?

Google Sheets is usually the better fit for organisations that:

• Have hybrid or fully remote working models and need real‑time collaboration.
• Want a consistent, browser‑based experience across Docs, Sheets and Slides.
• Already use Google Workspace for email, storage and collaboration.
• Value easy access, simple sharing and reduced reliance on desktop apps.

Microsoft Excel is typically the right choice when organisations:

• Rely heavily on complex financial models or very large datasets.
• Depend on VBA, Power Query, Power Pivot or niche add‑ins.
• Use Microsoft 365 for other tasks.
• Need advanced functionality that goes beyond everyday reporting.

Moving to Google Sheets from Microsoft Excel

Even if you move most day‑to‑day work into Google Sheets, you don’t have to abandon Microsoft Excel overnight. It isn’t uncommon for organisations to open and edit Excel files directly in Sheets using Office compatibility, so teams can collaborate in the browser without converting file formats. This is a low‑risk way to introduce Google Sheets while clients, partners, or certain teams still send and maintain Microsoft files.

Over time, you can decide which spreadsheets to convert entirely to Google Sheets and which specialist models should remain in Microsoft Excel.

Key Takeaways

• Google Sheets focuses on simplicity, collaboration and everyday business reporting, making it a good fit for most teams.
• Excel remains a powerful specialist tool for complex financial modelling and advanced desktop analytics.
• Your broader platform choice (Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365) will typically influence where you invest.
• Training and clear guidance can help users understand when to use each tool and avoid duplicated effort.

Migrating to Google Workspace with Damson Cloud

If you decide that Google Sheets should be your main spreadsheet tool, a planned migration to Google Workspace is the next step. This typically includes reviewing your existing Excel files and deciding which can be moved across directly, which need redesigning, and which should remain in Excel for now.

As a Google Workspace partner, Damson Cloud can support you through the migration process, minimising disruption and encouraging user adoption across the board. Structured Google Sheets training can also help teams move away from isolated files and into shared spreadsheets that reflect how they actually work, getting the most from Workspace.

With the right support, most businesses can reduce complexity, improve collaboration and bring their spreadsheets into a cloud‑first environment without losing the capabilities they still rely on.