Google Sheets is an incredibly versatile and powerful spreadsheet application that offers users access to many remarkable resources to simplify their work.
While it offers a wide range of formulas and functions out of the box, you can take its capabilities even further by installing Google Sheets add-ons.
Just like browser extensions, Google Sheets add-ons are third-party apps that you can integrate into your spreadsheets to unlock additional functionality. These add-ons can help you automate tasks, enhance productivity, and even introduce entirely new features that aren’t natively available in Google Sheets.
From sending scheduled emails to translating data to populating bibliographies, Google Sheets add-ons can be real game-changers.
If you’ve ever felt limited by what Google Sheets can do on its own, chances are there’s an add-on that can solve your problem.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Google Sheets add-ons that can supercharge your spreadsheet experience.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, these add-ons can streamline your workflows, save you time, and help you get more done with Google Sheets.
Getting Started with Google Sheets Add-Ons
Using Google Sheets add-ons is a breeze, and it all starts with installation. While Google Sheets comes packed with built-in functions, add-ons offer a way to extend its capabilities even further. Each add-on is unique, so the process of using them may vary, but the general idea is straightforward.
Once you’ve installed an add-on from the Google Workspace marketplace, take a moment to review its documentation. The developer usually provides clear instructions on how to access and utilize the add-on’s features within your spreadsheets. Familiarizing yourself with the add-on’s functions is key to unlocking its full potential.
The beauty of Google Sheets add-ons is that you can install and run multiple ones simultaneously. However, it’s important to strike a balance. Having too many add-ons active at once can clutter your workspace and potentially slow down your system’s performance. So, it’s wise to be selective and only keep the add-ons you genuinely need active.
How to Install and Remove Add-Ons
Before we jump into reviewing the best Google Sheets add-ons, it’s important you know exactly how to install and remove Google Sheets add-ons. Knowing this will help you maximize these resources better.
Let’s quickly show you how to install a Google Sheets add-on.
Step 1: Open a Spreadsheet
To begin, you’ll need to have a Google Sheets document open. You can either create a new spreadsheet or open an existing one you’ve been working on.
Step 2: Extensions > Add-ons > Get Add-ons
Once your spreadsheet is ready, you can begin the installation process. Simply go to the Extensions menu on the toolbar. Move your mouse over “Add-ons,” and a sub-menu will appear. Click on “Get add-ons” from the options provided.
Step 3: Browse and Install
After Choosing the option for Get add-ons, Google Sheets will instantly launch the Google Worksheet marketplace, where you’ll be presented with several add-ons to choose from. Simply search for your preferred add-on and click on the blue install button to add it to your spreadsheet.
Once installed, most Google Sheets add-ons are available across various browsers, except for mobile devices.
However, it’s worth noting that some add-ons built specifically for Chrome may only work on Google’s native browser.
How to Remove an Add-on
While installing Google Sheets add-ons can enhance your productivity, there may come a time when you need to remove one. Perhaps you’ve outgrown its functionality, or you simply want to declutter your workspace. Regardless of the reason, removing an add-on is a straightforward process.
Read on as we go over the steps together:
Step 1: Access Google Sheets Extensions
To uninstall a Google Sheets add-on that you’ve installed before, go to the ‘Extension’ menu. Click on ‘Add-ons’ from the list of options that appear. Then, move your mouse over ‘Add-ons’ and click on ‘Manage add-ons’ from the new set of choices that comes up.
Step 2: Uninstall Add-ons
Once you click on ‘Manage add-ons,’ Google Sheets will open a new page displaying all the add-ons you’ve installed previously.
Here, simply choose the add-on you wish to remove. Google Sheets will then open the selected add-on’s details page. Look for the ‘Uninstall’ button, click on it, and the add-on will be removed immediately.
That’s all there is to it. With just a few clicks, you can easily install and remove add-ons in Google Sheets.
Top Best Google Sheets Add-Ons in 2024
Now that you’ve mastered the art of installing and removing Google Sheets add-ons, it’s time to explore the best ones that can take your spreadsheet game to new heights.
These powerful tools are designed to streamline your workflows, save time, and make working with Google Sheets a breeze.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the top Google Sheets add-ons that every spreadsheet enthusiast should consider:
#1: Coefficient: Streamlining Data Integration into Google Sheets
Manually importing data into Google Sheets can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when dealing with multiple data sources. But guess what? With Coefficient, you have a powerful add-on that lets you automate and simplify the data integration process.
Using Coefficient, you can seamlessly connect your Google Sheets to virtually any data source, allowing you to import live data directly into your spreadsheets. This add-on acts as a sidebar app, making it easy to manage and access your data connections within the familiar Google Sheets interface.
One key advantage of Coefficient is its ability to automate workflows within your spreadsheets. It not only imports data but also enables you to export it to other platforms, such as Slack, ensuring that your team stays up-to-date with the latest insights.
Many users love this add-on because it offers pre-built spreadsheet dashboards, allowing you to visualize and analyze your data quickly with just a few clicks. It also supports data integration from multiple systems, making it ideal for teams that work with various data sources.
What’s even more exciting about this add-on is its security features. For instance, the add-on does not store any of your data, and it uses end-to-end encryption for your credentials, ensuring that your information remains safe and secure. Additionally, Coefficient connects securely via Google OAuth, providing an added layer of protection.
With a client base that includes industry giants like Uber, Zendesk, and Spotify, Coefficient has proven its value in streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.
If you’re interested in trying Coefficient, you can get started for free without a credit card.
#2: Wikipedia Tools: Unleash the Power of Wikipedia Within Google Sheets
Conducting research while working on a spreadsheet can be a cumbersome task, often requiring you to switch between multiple tabs or windows. However, with the Wikipedia Tools add-on, you can seamlessly integrate the vast knowledge of Wikipedia directly into your Google Sheets environment.
This powerful add-on introduces a suite of Wikipedia-based functions to your spreadsheets, streamlining your research process and enhancing your productivity. With just a few clicks, you can import relevant information, translate your sheet’s content, and even find synonyms for specific words, eliminating the need to consult external thesauruses.
One of the standout features of the Wikipedia Tools add-on is its ability to fetch data directly from Wikipedia articles. This functionality allows you to enrich your spreadsheets with accurate and up-to-date information from the world’s largest online encyclopedia.
Additionally, the add-on’s translation capabilities enable you to break down language barriers, making it easier to collaborate with team members or clients from different regions. Simply select the desired text and choose the target language, and the add-on will handle the translation seamlessly.
Like Wikipedia itself, the Wikipedia Tools add-on is completely free to use. Simply install it in your spreadsheet and you can start exploring its potential without limitations.
#3: Hunter for Sheets: Unlock the Power of Email Discovery
Hunter for Sheets is a powerful add-on that streamlines the process of finding and verifying email addresses directly from within your Google Sheets environment.
Getting started with Hunter for Sheets is straightforward. After installing the add-on, you’ll need to create an account with Hunter.io, the platform that powers this email discovery tool. While creating an account is mandatory, the add-on offers a free forever plan that provides 50 free email verifications and two free email searches monthly, allowing you to test its capabilities before committing to a paid plan.
What makes this addon unique is its domain search functionality. By entering a domain name, you can uncover all publicly available email addresses associated with that domain. The add-on displays the results with confidence scores, helping you estimate the accuracy of the email addresses found. Additionally, if available, it will provide the first and last names connected to each email address, further enhancing the usefulness of the search results.
Another valuable feature of this add-on is the email finder, which allows you to select cells containing first names, last names, and company names, and then find the corresponding email addresses for those individuals.
Like the domain search, the email finder provides confidence scores for each result, ensuring you have the most accurate information at your disposal.
Furthermore, Hunter for Sheets offers email verification capabilities, ensuring that the email addresses you’ve found are valid and active. This feature can save you time and effort by preventing you from sending messages to non-existent or outdated email addresses.
#4: Power Tools: Unleash Productivity and Automation in Google Sheets
Working with spreadsheets can often involve tedious, repetitive tasks that can drain your productivity and efficiency. That’s where the Power Tools add-on for Google Sheets comes into play.
At its core, Power Tools aims to help you organize and manage your spreadsheets more effectively. One of its standout features is the smart toolbar, which displays your recent actions and allows you to record your favorite ones for easy access. This functionality enables you to repeat actions on other cells or data sets without having to redo the entire process manually, saving you valuable time and effort.
But Power Tools goes beyond simple task automation. It introduces a range of advanced features that bring the functionality of Microsoft Excel into the Google Sheets environment.
Whether you’re a seasoned Excel user transitioning to Google Sheets or someone looking to enhance their spreadsheet capabilities, this add-on provides the tools you need to work more efficiently.
With Power Tools, you can automate a wide range of tasks, from data manipulation and formatting to complex calculations and analysis. The add-on’s intuitive interface and user-friendly design make it accessible to users of all skill levels, ensuring a seamless integration into your existing workflow.
To get started with Power Tools, you can take advantage of a 30-day free trial period. After the trial, you can choose between an annual subscription of $29.95 or a one-time lifetime access fee of $89.95.
The lifetime access option is particularly appealing, as it includes perpetual updates, ensuring that you always have access to the latest features and improvements without any additional costs.
#5: Wolfram|Alpha: Bringing Computational Intelligence to Google Sheets
Wolfram|Alpha, the powerful computational knowledge engine, has made its way into the Google Sheets ecosystem with a dedicated add-on. This integration empowers users to tap into the vast reserves of expert-level knowledge and cutting-edge algorithms that Wolfram|Alpha is renowned for, directly from within their spreadsheets.
For those unfamiliar with Wolfram|Alpha, it is the engine behind many popular virtual assistants, including Siri, providing accurate and detailed answers to a wide range of queries.
Once installed, the add-on appears as a sidebar within Google Sheets, providing a seamless interface for interacting with Wolfram|Alpha’s capabilities. You can use the add-on to search for facts, perform calculations, and analyze data directly from your selected cells or ranges.
Imagine having a cell containing the text “Distance from Earth to Mars.” With the Wolfram|Alpha add-on, you can simply select that cell and let the add-on compute the answer for you, leveraging its extensive knowledge base and algorithms. This functionality extends to ranges as well, allowing you to simultaneously return multiple answers based on your selected data.
Whether you’re working with complex mathematical equations, scientific calculations, or simply seeking factual information, the Wolfram|Alpha add-on for Google Sheets provides a powerful tool for enhancing your spreadsheet experience with computational intelligence.
One of the most attractive aspects of this add-on is that it is completely free to install and use, without any limitations or paywalls. This accessibility makes it an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations alike, enabling them to tap into the power of Wolfram|Alpha’s computational knowledge without any additional costs.
#6: Tweet Archiver: Streamlining Social Media Monitoring in Google Sheets
Keeping track of the ever-evolving conversations and trends on social media platforms like Twitter can be a herculean task, especially for businesses, marketers, and individuals seeking to maintain a strong online presence.
Fortunately, the Tweet Archiver add-on for Google Sheets provides a streamlined solution to this challenge.
Designed for social media managers and marketers, Tweet Archiver simplifies the process of tracking and organizing Twitter data. It continuously updates your Google Sheet with the latest tweets related to your specified search queries, ensuring that you never miss out on important conversations or trends.
One of Tweet Archiver’s standout features is its advanced search functionality, which allows you to set up comprehensive monitoring for specific mentions, hashtags, or keywords. Whether you’re tracking a brand, a campaign, or a particular topic, this add-on ensures that relevant tweets are captured and organized in a centralized location.
In addition to streamlining the monitoring process, Tweet Archiver offers a range of powerful features that enhance its usefulness. Media embedding capabilities allow you to include images, videos, and other multimedia content directly within your spreadsheet, providing a comprehensive view of the tweets you’re tracking.
The add-on also integrates seamlessly with BigQuery, Google’s powerful data analytics platform, enabling you to perform advanced analysis and gain deeper insights into your social media data.
To get started with Tweet Archiver, you can take advantage of their free trial period. This allows you to explore its capabilities and determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.
After the trial, you can opt for a paid subscription, with pricing plans tailored to both individual users ($4.95/user per month) and enterprise clients ($7.24/user per month).
#7: Template Gallery: A Treasure Trove of Ready-to-Use Spreadsheet Templates
Creating spreadsheets from scratch can be a time-consuming and tedious process, especially when you need to set up complex layouts or formulas. But guess what? With the Template Gallery add-on in Google Sheets, you have access to a vast library of pre-designed templates that can save you countless hours of work.
This powerful add-on lets you access a wide range of professionally crafted templates tailored for various purposes, from calendars and invoices to budgeting tools and timesheets. Whether you’re a professional seeking to streamline your workflows or an individual looking to organize your personal finances, this add-on has something for everyone.
One of Template Gallery’s key advantages is its user-friendly interface, which allows you to search for templates using keywords. Simply enter the type of template you need, and the add-on will present you with a curated selection of options to choose from. This intuitive search functionality ensures that you can quickly find the perfect template for your specific needs without having to sift through countless irrelevant options.
Template Gallery goes beyond the basic templates offered by Google Sheets’ built-in gallery, providing a more comprehensive and diverse range of options. From financial calculators and resumes to letters and schedules, this add-on covers a vast array of use cases, ensuring that you can find the right template no matter your requirements.
The best part about using this add-on is that it is completely free to use. While this means that technical support may be limited, the ease of installation and removal make it a risk-free addition to your Google Sheets toolkit.
With just a few clicks, you can explore the add-on’s capabilities and determine if it meets your needs, without any financial commitment.
#8: Coupler.io: Bridging the Gap Between Data Sources and Google Sheets
In today’s data-driven world, information often resides in various platforms and applications, making it a challenge to consolidate and analyze data effectively. Coupler.io emerges as a powerful add-on that simplifies this process by seamlessly integrating data from multiple sources directly into your Google Sheets environment.
With Coupler.io, you can bid farewell to the tedious task of manually inputting data into your spreadsheets. This add-on supports a wide range of popular services, including Google Drive, Hubspot, WordPress, BigQuery, Slack, Clockify, and many more. By establishing connections with these platforms, Coupler.io automates the data import process, allowing you to create customized reports with ease.
What makes Coupler.io absolutely special is its data visualization capabilities. Once your data is imported into Google Sheets, you can leverage the add-on’s built-in tools to present your information in a visually appealing and insightful manner. Whether you need to create charts, graphs, or interactive dashboards, Coupler.io empowers you to communicate your data effectively and make informed decisions.
To accommodate diverse needs and budgets, Coupler.io offers a free version with limited features, allowing you to test the waters before committing to a paid plan. For those requiring more advanced functionality, the add-on provides several pricing tiers, starting at $24/month for the Professional plan and $49/month for the Squad plan.
Business plans are also available, starting at $99/month. This plan caters to larger organizations with more complex requirements.
#9: AppSheet: Unleashing the Power of No-Code App Development
If the idea of developing a mobile app seems daunting because you lack coding skills, AppSheet offers a perfect solution. This innovative platform transforms your spreadsheets into fully functional mobile apps without requiring any programming knowledge.
AppSheet provides over 50 customizable options, allowing you to tailor your app to match your brand’s style and aesthetics. It supports the integration of rich media and visuals, enables data collection, and facilitates the automation of push notifications via email and SMS. Additionally, it allows your apps to operate offline.
AppSheet is available at no cost while you are in the prototyping phase. For personal projects, you can continue using AppSheet free of charge indefinitely. For access to advanced features or for organizational use involving multiple users, subscription plans are necessary.
Subscription pricing begins at $5 per month per user for the Starter plan and $10 per month per user for the Core plan. Enterprises or users requiring support for a larger number of participants can inquire about AppSheet’s bespoke Enterprise plans.
#10: Awesome Table: Transforming Data into Visually Compelling Experiences
Awesome Table is a versatile add-on designed to elevate your data presentation capabilities. It allows you to import data and then craft visual representations like catalogs, Gantt charts, and interactive maps integrated with Google Maps.
What is cool about the Awesome Table add-on is that it seamlessly aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, Zendesk, YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Tasks, Unsplash, and Stripe. This diversity in data integration facilitates comprehensive data visualization across different platforms and uses.
For those exploring its basic capabilities, Awesome Table offers a free version that includes up to ten queries per day, eight types of visualizations, support for 100 rows of data, and a maximum of 500 views per visualization.
For extended features and higher limits, the add-on provides several paid plans: $31 per month for the Plus plan, $79 per month for the Pro plan, and $199 per month for the Premium plan, catering to various user needs and scaling requirements.
#11: Translate My Sheet: Breaking Language Barriers in Google Sheets
Translate My Sheet lives up to its name by offering straightforward translation capabilities directly within your spreadsheet. Whether you need to translate a small section or the entire sheet, this tool utilizes Google Translate to support over 100 languages, ensuring wide linguistic coverage.
The add-on provides a basic free plan that includes a set number of translations each month. For those who require more frequent translations, there is an option to upgrade to unlimited translations. Pricing for these premium services starts at $7.99 for a one-month subscription, $29.99 for six months, and $49.99 for an annual plan.
Additionally, it’s useful to know that basic translations can be performed directly in Google Sheets using the formula =GOOGLETRANSLATE(cell, “source language”, “target language”). While this method is available for free, the Translate My Sheet add-on simplifies the process and enhances usability, making it a valuable tool for frequent and complex translation tasks.
#12: Mail Merge: Personalized Email Campaigns Made Easy
Mail Merge is an efficient add-on in Google Sheets designed to streamline the process of sending personalized emails to multiple recipients. By extracting data directly from your spreadsheet, it substitutes specific placeholders in your email template with personalized details for each recipient.
Touted as the best mail-related add-on across Google’s suite of services including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Gmail, Mail Merge offers exceptional versatility. It enables users to include unique elements such as profile pictures, barcodes, and QR codes directly in emails—all managed seamlessly via Google Sheets without the need for any downloads or installations.
This add-on is particularly useful for sending personalized bulk emails. Each message is tailored with individual details like names or other specific data, mimicking a one-on-one conversation despite being part of a mass mailing.
Mail Merge is available to try for free for one week, after which continued access requires a subscription.
Pricing starts at $39 annually for a single user, with scalable licensing options available for organizations needing up to 10,000 users. For detailed pricing information, please check their official rate schedule.
How to Build Your Own Google Sheets Add-Ons
While the vast ecosystem of available add-ons for Google Sheets offers a wide range of functionality, there may be times when your specific needs require a more customized solution. Fortunately, Google provides the ability to create your own add-ons, allowing you to tailor the experience to your exact requirements.
Building your own Google Sheets add-ons can be accomplished directly within the application, eliminating the need for external tools or installations. However, it’s important to note that this process requires knowledge of coding and programming.
Google Sheets add-ons are developed using Apps Script, a programming language similar to JavaScript. This language is also used for creating add-ons for other Google Workspace applications, such as Google Forms and Google Docs. Apps Script executes on Google’s servers, ensuring that your add-ons can run seamlessly across various browsers without the need for additional installations.
To get started with building your own add-ons, you can access the Apps Script editor directly within Google Sheets. Simply navigate to the “Add-ons” menu and select “Apps Script” from the top toolbar. This will open the dedicated development environment where you can write, test, and deploy your custom add-ons.
While the process of building add-ons may seem daunting for those without prior coding experience, Google provides a wealth of resources to help you get started. The Google Developers resource library offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and sample code to guide you through the process of creating your own add-ons.
Final Thoughts
Google Sheets is an incredibly powerful and versatile tool, and the best part is that its capabilities can be extended even further with the help of add-ons.
The Google Sheets add-ons we’ve explored in this article are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast ecosystem of third-party extensions available.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, these Google Sheets add-ons can supercharge your spreadsheet experience by automating tedious tasks, enhancing productivity, and introducing entirely new features. From streamlining data integration and translation to enabling no-code app development and email campaign management, the possibilities are endless.
It’s worth noting that while many of these Google Sheets add-ons offer free versions or trial periods, some may require paid subscriptions to unlock their full potential. However, the investment can be well worth it, especially if the add-ons can significantly improve your workflow and save you time and effort in the long run.
As you explore the world of Google Sheets add-ons, remember to evaluate your specific needs and requirements. Some add-ons may be more relevant to your use case than others, so it’s essential to choose wisely and avoid cluttering your workspace with unnecessary extensions.
Additionally, if you find that none of the existing best Google Sheets add-ons meet your exact requirements, don’t hesitate to explore the possibility of building your own custom add-on using Apps Script. While this approach requires coding knowledge, it offers unparalleled flexibility and customization.