Your Handbook for Picking the Right Business Spreadsheet Tool

Spreadsheet tools are invaluable for businesses that want to streamline data collection and organization. You can use them in various parts of your business, such as accounting, inventory management, HR, customer data, and project tracking. 

The truth is that external solutions like Microsoft Excel require you to have external integration tools to embed it in your own app. However, a spreadsheet editor SDK (Software Development Kit) allows you to easily embed spreadsheet functionality directly in your app.

The goal is to reduce workflow interruptions and ensure operations move at the pace the business demands. This is because a spreadsheet editor SDK provides a self-contained, secure environment for viewing and analyzing data.

But with so many spreadsheet tools in the market, how do you choose the right one for your business? Below, we have shared tips to help you pick the right business spreadsheet tool for your needs. 

1. Outline Your Needs 

The first step in choosing the right spreadsheet software for your business is to understand your business needs. What will you use the tool for? This is important because it will help you pick the tool with the right features. 

Ask yourself;

• What tasks do you intend to manage? 
• How big is your team, and how often do they need to collaborate?
• Do you need automation or integrations with other tools?
• Do you work with thousands of rows of data or just a few dozen?

2. Identify Must-Have Features

The answer to the questions above should already reveal the features you need. That said, remember that good software should grow with you. Here are the key features that should inform your decision. 

• Ease of Use: Spreadsheet software is supposed to enable your team to work more efficiently and improve their workflow. To achieve this, the tool you choose should be easy to use with a clean design, intuitive formulas, and solid templates. This will minimize time spent on training and boost productivity from day one. 
• Collaboration: Your team will need to collaborate from time to time. An ideal spreadsheet tool should allow real-time collaboration so that several team members can work on the same file at the same time. In-app commenting and version history will also improve how the team works. 
• Automation: Manual work is prone to errors and is also time-consuming. With spreadsheet automation, your team doesn’t have to spend time on tedious manual work like entering data, formatting, and analysis. You automate repetitive tasks so that you can focus on more strategic work. Automation will increase efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline data management. 
• Integration: The right spreadsheet tool should integrate smoothly with other apps to enable the exchange of data, automate tasks, or enhance functionality. This eliminates the need to copy and paste data, which wastes time. Spreadsheet apps should integrate with CRMs, email platforms, and accounting software. Check if there are integrations that come built-in and if they are easy to set up. 
• Scalability and Performance: Your spreadsheet needs will obviously increase as your business grows. The tool you choose should handle a large volume of data, thousands of rows, and multiple sheets without lagging or crashing. Lightweight tools may become bottlenecks if you have large-scale operations.
• Security and Permissions: The right spreadsheet tool should offer data protection features to prevent unauthorised access, encryption for sensitive data, and even cloud storage.

3. Set a Budget 

Now that you know exactly what you want, it’s time to set a budget. There are many spreadsheet tools with different price ranges. Explore both free and paid options to find what suits your team best.

Ideally, the right tool should improve customer satisfaction in your business by reducing errors and offering reliable services. 

4. Compare the Top Contenders 

Different spreadsheet tools excel in different areas. Compare all the top contenders to find the best one. Read online reviews to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Check what people are saying about features and customer support. 

Compare both cloud-based and desktop solutions. You can access cloud-based spreadsheets from any device as long as you have an internet connection. On the other hand, desktop spreadsheets offer offline access. 

For instance, Microsoft Excel is great for advanced data analysis, heavy data, and working offline. Google Sheets is great for collaboration due to easy sharing and the ability to access the spreadsheet from any device. 

5. Test Before You Commit

Even if reviews are positive, test the software before committing. Most have a free version or trials. Set up a real use case like a marketing tracker, try importing or exporting files, or invite a few team members for collaboration. 

Conclusion 

The right spreadsheet for your business is not just what is popular. You need to match a tool with how your team works. Understand what your business needs and then compare the various tools. Don’t forget to read reviews and test on the free trial, where applicable.