Difference Between Google Docs and Google Sheets

The key difference between Google Docs and Google Sheets is that Google Docs is a document management applications whereas Google Sheets is an application used to formulate and manipulate data within Google Docs. Google sheet is an application that belongs to Google docs. It is important to know the difference between Google docs and Google sheets. Let us take a closer look at both the Google products and see what they have to offer.

CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Google Docs
3. What is Google Sheets
4. Side by Side Comparison – Google Docs vs Google Sheets
5. Summary

Google Docs – Features and Specifications

Google docs is a document management application that is web based. It is used to create and edit private and public spreadsheets and word processing documents. The edited and created documents can be saved online on Google cloud or on your personal computer. Google Docs can be accessed via a full featured browser and a computer with an internet connection. The document can be viewed by members and google groups with the permission of the owner.

Google docs has been specially designed for individual and real-time collaborative projects. The security of the document is maintained online and on the user’s computer. However, some of the users are concerned regarding security as online documents can be viewed copied or stolen by others.

The documents created on Google docs are usually supported by and compatible with most presentation and word processing applications. These documents can also be printed and published as a web page. Various fonts and file formats can be used to edit spreadsheets.

Google releases new features for Google docs on a regular basis. There is also an online help group to answer questions and fix related problems that we may run into.

Google docs system requirements are very simple and only requires a web browser. Google docs is compatible with many of the browsers available today. But, you need a Google account to access google docs. Google account is free. You will only need an email address and to agree to the terms and conditions put forward by Google to create a Google account. If you have ever signed up for Gmail, you will already have a google account. The account will give you access to many other application other than Google docs.

The user can create new spreadsheets, presentations, and documents or upload an existing file onto the system. Google docs is compatible with the following file formats.

File Formats Compatible with Google Docs

• Comma Separated Value files or .csv
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel (.doc, .ppt, . pps and .xls)
• Rich text format (.rtf)
• Hypertext markup language (HTML)
• OpenDocument Text and Spreadsheet formats *(.odt and .ods)
• Text files (.txt)
• Star Office documents ( .sxw)

You will become the owner of the file you created or import to Google docs. Owners have the power to create and delete files and invite viewers and collaborators. Collaborates can export and edit files. The owner can choose other collaborators to join the project via the existing collaborators. Viewers can export and view files but are not allowed to edit them.

Google docs use a simple file and folder system as its organizational approach. You are able to create folders and subfolders for all of your files. You can use sort in multiple modes to sort all of your data.

Google docs provide you with a lot of space, but it is not unlimited.

Each account can have

• 5000 documents of 500 kb each
• 1000 spreadsheets of 1Mb each
• 5000 presentations of 10 MB each

You will also be able to search inside Google docs.

Google Sheets – Features and Specifications

Gone are the days when you needed to spend a lot of money to buy a solid spreadsheet program. Today Google spreadsheet is available within your local Google account. You can log onto your google account, create a spreadsheet and you are ready to go.

Google spreadsheets is a web-based application that will allow users to create, modify and update spreadsheets. The data used for the spreadsheets can be shared live online. This application is compatible with Microsoft Excel, and comma separated values. The spreadsheets can also be saved in HTML format.

The application comes with typical spreadsheet features. Data can be added, deleted and sorted in rows and columns. Multiple, geographically dispersed users can collaborate on the spreadsheet via real time. Google spreadsheet has a real time built in messaging program for communication.  The user has the ability to upload spreadsheets directly from their computers as well.

Google spreadsheets come with keyboard shortcuts that will help you work more efficiently. Google spreadsheet also comes with forms which help in completing surveys from customers. You can view other team members who are viewing the same document. Google spreadsheet allows you to chat and collaborate with team members in real time. As with Microsoft excel, there are formulas that can help you complete your work with ease.

What is the difference between Google Docs and Google Sheets?

Summary – Google Docs vs Google Sheet

It is clear that Google Docs and Google sheet are clearly two different tools. As a document management application, Google Docs is one of the best to date, and Google sheets is able to accomplish many of the functions done in a similar proprietary application. The main difference between Google Docs and Google sheets is their purpose and function.

Image Courtesy:
1. “Google Docs: Kudos Hamish Laing @LaingHamish and Ryan Mearns @ryanmearns for transcribing #COP21 ADP Sessions” by Ron Mader (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr
2. “How to Color Alternate Rows in Google Sheets” by Amit Agarwal (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr