People often argue about whether Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel is better. These are both popular programs for making spreadsheets. Some people really like using Google Sheets, while others who love Microsoft Office Excel prefer to stick with what they know.
But what happens when someone who uses Excel sends a spreadsheet to someone who uses Google Sheets? Well, you’ll need to convert Excel to Google Sheets to be able to make changes to the document.
If you’re a Google Sheets fan and someone sends you an Excel document, you have a choice. You can either just look at the document without making any changes, or you can convert Excel to Google Sheets if you want to work on it in your familiar Google Sheets environment.
In this tutorial, we will show you how to open files and convert Excel to Google Sheets easily.
But before we delve any further, let’s look at some reasons why you might want to convert Excel to Google Sheets.
Top Reasons to Convert Excel to Google Sheets
In the ever-evolving landscape of data and collaboration, one question arises: Why convert your trusty Excel files into Google Sheets? The answer lies in a world of enhanced collaboration, accessibility, and efficiency.
Join us on this journey as we unveil some compelling reasons to make the switch.
- Collaboration: Google Sheets allows multiple people to collaborate on a single document in real time. If you need to work on a spreadsheet with others, Google Sheets makes it easy to share and edit the same document simultaneously, which can be challenging with Excel.
- Accessibility: Google Sheets is accessible from any device with an internet connection. You can work on your spreadsheets from your computer, tablet, or even your smartphone. Excel, on the other hand, often requires you to have the software installed on your device.
- Automatic Saving: Google Sheets automatically saves your work as you go along. With Excel, you need to remember to save your changes manually, which can lead to data loss if you forget.
- Version History: Google Sheets keeps a detailed version history of your document, allowing you to see who made what changes and revert to previous versions if needed. Excel has this feature, too, but it may not be as user-friendly.
- Integration: Google Sheets integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace apps like Google Docs and Google Slides. This integration can be handy for creating reports, presentations, or documents that incorporate data from your spreadsheets.
- Cost: Google Sheets is free to use, while Excel often requires a paid subscription or one-time purchase of the Microsoft Office suite.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Google Sheets can easily import and export Excel files, making it a convenient choice for users who need to work with others who use Excel. Converting an Excel file to Google Sheets ensures compatibility and smooth collaboration.
Overall, converting Excel to Google Sheets can be a practical choice for those looking to enhance collaboration, accessibility, and data management while saving costs.
How To Convert Excel to Google Sheets Using Import
Now that we’ve explored the reasons why converting Excel files to Google Sheets can be advantageous, it’s time to get hands-on with the process. Converting your Excel files to Google Sheets is a straightforward task that doesn’t require any advanced technical skills.
In this section, we will unveil the step-by-step process, showing you how to convert Excel to Google Sheets using import.
Whether you’re pretty experienced with both programs or this is your first time attempting to convert Excel to Google Sheets, rest assured that this section will bring you up to speed on how to do it.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it:
Step 1: Prepare Your Excel File
Start by opening the Excel file you want to convert. Make sure your Excel file is organized and contains the data you want to transfer to Google Sheets.
Here is what our Excel file looks like.
Step 2: Open Google Sheets
Go to Google Drive (drive.google.com) and log in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you can create it for free.
After logging in, click on the ‘+ New’ button on the left-hand side and select ‘Google Sheets’ to create a new Google Sheets document.
In case of any confusion, the video below will provide better insight on how to approach this step.
After executing the step above, Google Sheets should automatically launch a blank spreadsheet.
It should look something like this.
Step 3: Import Your Excel File
In your new Google Sheets document, click on ‘File’ in the top left corner. From the dropdown menu, select ‘Import.’
After selecting the option for Import, Google Sheets will launch a new window with several options to upload the Excel file you want to convert. Choose what works best for you.
For the purpose of this tutorial, we will go with the option for Upload. So click on ‘Upload’ and then select Browse. This will instantly take you to your computer, where you can choose the Excel file you want to convert.
The screenshot below provides better clarity on how we selected the Excel file we want to convert from our computer.
Step 4: Choose Import Options
After selecting the Excel file we want to convert to Google Sheets, a window will appear, allowing you to choose import options.
Make sure ‘Replace spreadsheet’ is selected to replace the empty Google Sheets document with your Excel file.
You can also choose other options like ‘Create new spreadsheet,’ ‘Insert new sheet(s),’ and ‘Replace spreadsheet’ based on your needs.
Step 5: Review and Edit (If Necessary)
After selecting the option for Import data, it will take a few seconds for your Excel file to be converted to Google Sheets, so exercise some patience.
Once the file has been converted, go over the data in your spreadsheet to make any changes you might deem necessary.
Here is what our Excel file now looks like after uploading it to Google Sheets:
Once you’re satisfied with the converted file, go ahead and save the file so it can be saved directly in your Google Drive.
That’s it. You’ve successfully converted your Excel file into a Google Sheets document using import.
Now, you can enjoy the benefits of Google Sheets’ collaboration, accessibility, and other features while working with your data.
How to Convert Excel to Google Sheets Using Google Drive
Earlier, we discussed converting Excel files to Google Sheets using the “Import” feature within Google Sheets. Now, let’s explore another method: converting your Excel files to Google Sheets directly through Google Drive. This method offers a convenient way to manage your files and take advantage of Google’s cloud storage and productivity tools.
In the previous section, we walked you through the steps to convert Excel to Google Sheets using the “Import” feature within Google Sheets.
As we did in the previous method, we will also walk you through the step-by-step process of converting Excel files to Google Sheets documents. Read on as we outline the steps for converting Excel to Google Sheets using Google Drive.
Step 1: Access Google Drive
The first thing we want to do here is access Google Drive, which is super easy. All you need to do is visit drive.google.com and log in with your credentials. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one and sign in.
Step 2: Upload Your Excel File
After successfully gaining access to Google Drive, it’s time to upload the Excel file we want to upload. Guess what, doing this is easy. Simply click the “+ New” button on the left-hand side and select “File upload.”
This action will take you straight to your computer, where you’ll need to select the file you want to upload.
Here is what that should look like:
After uploading to Drive, you should get a prompt like this one, showing you that your file has been uploaded successfully.
Step 3: Open With Google Sheets
Once the Excel file is uploaded to Google Drive, right-click on it. Select “Open with” from the context menu and choose “Google Sheets.”
If you followed the steps exactly as we showed you, Google Sheets should instantly launch, showing the Excel file you just converted.
Here is what ours looks like:
Step 4: Edit and Save as Google Sheets
With your Excel file now open in Google Sheets, you can go ahead to review it and make necessary edits or changes.
Keep in mind that every change or edit you make is automatically saved to the Google Drive cloud manager. So the next time to access the document in Google Drive, it should pick up from where you last left it.
Now, that’s how to convert Excel to Google Sheets using Google Drive. This method is especially useful if you want to keep all your files in one place, access them from any device with an internet connection, and collaborate with others seamlessly using Google’s suite of productivity tools.
Whether you choose to convert your Excel files using Google Drive or Google Sheets directly, you’ll unlock the benefits of cloud-based collaboration and accessibility.
How To Convert an Excel File to Google Sheets Format
If you have read to this point, we are sure you now know how to convert Excel to Google Sheets using import and then Google Drive. Using both of these methods allows you to convert Excel to Google Sheets seamlessly.
But guess what, that’s not the only way to convert Excel into Google Sheets. In this section, we will show you how you can effortlessly convert Excel to Google Sheets format in a few simple steps.
Read on as we go over the steps together.
For this method, we will assume you have already opened the Excel file in Google Sheets.
Here, take a look at what ours looks like:
Now that we have our Excel file opened in the Google Sheets environment, let’s show you how to convert the Excel file format to Google Sheets format.
Step 1: File > Save As Google Sheets
Click on the “File” menu at the top left corner of the Google Sheets interface. Think of the “File” menu as a toolbox where you find various tools to work with.
You’ll be presented with a list of options. From the available options, select the one that says Save As Google Sheets.
After selecting the option for Save as Google Sheets, Google Sheets will launch an entirely new sheet with your converted Excel file.
Here is what our spreadsheet looks like after saving our Excel file as Google Sheets.
What’s impressive about this method is that you have two copies of the same file – one in Excel and the other in Google Sheets format. What this means is that even if you make changes to the new Google Sheets file, the data in your original Excel file will remain unchanged.
By following this method, you have successfully converted your Excel file into Google Sheets format directly from the Google Sheets environment.
This approach allows you to maintain both Excel and Google Sheets versions of your file, giving you the flexibility to work seamlessly across different platforms and collaborate with ease.
Using Online Converters to Convert Excel to Google Sheets Converter
Up to this point, we’ve explored three distinct methods for transforming your Excel files into the versatile world of Google Sheets. However, our journey doesn’t stop there. We’re about to elevate your conversion experience by introducing you to a powerful tool: online converters.
These converters offer a convenient and efficient way to make the switch from Excel to Google Sheets. Let’s dive into this advanced method and learn how to harness the capabilities of online converters for seamless file transformation.
Step 1: Search for a Reliable Online Converter
The first thing we need to do here is to find the appropriate online converter that allows us to convert Excel to Google Sheets. To do that, head over to Google.com and type the following keyword: “Excel to Google Sheets online converter.”
This action will provide you with different online converters you can use to convert Excel to Google Sheets.
Step 2: Select A Converter
After entering the search phrase as we showed you, it’s time to select the appropriate converter we will use. For this example, we will select the option for CloudConvert.
When the website opens, you should see something like this:
Step 3: Upload the File to Convert
Now that we have our favorite online converter open, let’s get to the exciting part of this method. Here, we’ll show you how to put your file into the converter so it can change into Google Sheets format. To do this, just click on the button that says “Select file.”
After clicking the button, you’ll be presented with different options for uploading the Excel file. For the purpose of this example, we will select the option that says “From my computer.”
Step 3: Select The File
After selecting where you’d like to upload your document, you should be redirected to the appropriate location where your file is located.
Since we chose the option to upload from our computer, we will go ahead and select the Excel file we want to convert.
Step 4: Choose The File Convert Format Option
Once you’ve uploaded your Excel file to the online converter, the next step is to pick the right format to turn it into Google Sheets. In our case, we’re going to choose the option called “XLS,” which is the format that Google Sheets uses for its documents.
Step 5: Convert File
After selecting the appropriate format you want to convert to, click on the option for Convert and wait a few minutes for the file to be converted.
When the file has been converted, you should get a prompt stating that the conversion was successful.
Here is what it should look like.
Once the conversion is finished, simply click on the “Download” option. When the download is done, double-click on the file you just downloaded, and it should open right away in Google Sheets.
Now, you can see just how simple it is to change an Excel file into a Google Sheets file using online converters.
Final Thoughts
In our journey through the realm of Excel to Google Sheets conversion, we’ve uncovered multiple paths to transition your data seamlessly. Whether you opt for the method within Google Sheets, conversion through Google Drive, or the efficiency of online converters, the goal remains the same: to harness the immense potential of Google Sheets.
Converting your Excel files to Google Sheets opens doors to collaborative work, accessibility across devices, and the flexibility to choose the approach that suits you best. Google Sheets empowers you to work smarter, not harder, with real-time collaboration, automatic saving, and an array of integrated tools.
As you explore these conversion methods, remember that the choice is yours. Each method serves as a key to unlock a world of possibilities for data management, analysis, and teamwork.
So, whether you’re an Excel enthusiast looking to broaden your horizons or a Google Sheets aficionado seeking to streamline your workflow, these conversion techniques equip you with the tools you need.
The process may seem daunting at first, but as you’ve seen, it’s remarkably straightforward, even for beginners. With these newfound skills, you’re well-prepared to navigate the evolving landscape of spreadsheet management, optimizing your data for success.