Since its launch in 2006 with the introduction of Docs and Sheets, the Google suite of applications has revolutionized productivity. It has allowed users to access files from anywhere, collaborate in real-time, and share/read different types of files. As an individual, you no longer need expensive licenses like Microsoft to create professional documents online. And for businesses, this kind of technological advancement has fostered collaboration for teams distributed worldwide.
Of course, Google is not short on innovations. Just think about how we search the internet and the browser you use to conduct those searches. By far, one of the coolest inventions is the app marketplace. Sure, Apple may have had the idea originally, but Google quickly understood its value and found ways to integrate it into its own products. By allowing third-party apps to integrate their services into Google products, like Chrome and its productivity apps, Google has added value for its users. This process creates loyalty; it’s part of any successful user engagement strategy, and it’s one of the main reasons why I still use Chrome today – despite my concerns about privacy. By the way, I really love my Chrome extensions.
As a product of the 90s, I’ve spent most of my life having access to these tools. And often, I take them for granted. When we launched ThoughtSpot for Sheets in 2022, I was reminded of the value these add-ons bring: new features that streamline workflows, integrations that create previously unavailable capabilities, and connections that change our perspective. This got me thinking, “What other add-ons for Sheets exist, and how could they change the way I analyze data in spreadsheets?” I compiled this list to share some of my favorites with you.
If you’re not familiar with the ThoughtSpot Sheets add-on mentioned above, here’s a workaround to use ThoughtSpot for Sheets. This free add-on automatically creates interactive data visualizations and allows you to search your data in natural language, eliminating tedious V-lookups and endless searching for answers. Recent updates include additional chart types, creation features on sheets and slides, and most importantly for me, AI insights.
AI insights highlight correlations and anomalies that you may not know to search for. And it eliminates the glazed look I often have when I open a marketing data spreadsheet. ThoughtSpot for Sheets provides all these features right within the Sheets application. That’s why many of our active monthly users use the add-on multiple times a week. PS: If you’re a Microsoft user who happened to land on this page by chance, we also have a plugin for Excel.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend installing the app and giving it a try today!
Before you can start analyzing your data, you first need to import that data into your sheet. While this may seem like a simplistic task, moving data can be extremely time-consuming – ask any data analyst. That’s where add-ons like Coefficient come in handy, as they allow you to schedule data imports at a custom rate from a continuously expanding list of enterprise systems (think HubSpot, Salesforce, and MySQL) directly into Google Sheets.
As a marketer, I’ve spent hours struggling with HubSpot dashboards, trying to produce the exact visualizations my clients needed. By using Coefficient and ThoughtSpot add-ons, you can extract the data you need, create the desired visualizations, and export them directly into your client presentation. Coefficient has also introduced AI features for increased productivity in your day-to-day spreadsheet work. Their GPT Copilot will build formulas, charts, pivot tables, and SQL queries for you. The benefits go far beyond my own experiences, and I encourage you to try it out for yourself.
Learn more about getting started with ThoughtSpot + Coefficient.
When it comes to seamless data imports, Supermetrics is another add-on for Sheets. They are especially known for marketing analytics as they integrate with all major social media, SEM, PPC, SEO, and major ad platforms. They also connect with web analytics and major payment platforms, making it a perfect tool for early-stage SKU streamlining or inventory planning.
In addition to setting up regular data refreshes, you can also schedule the delivery of these data reports to your inbox on an hourly, weekly, or monthly basis.
Try Supermetrics today with their free 14-day trial.
If you’re like me and struggling to adapt to the new dashboards in GA 4, you might find it easier to analyze your marketing data in Sheets. It’s no surprise that Google seamlessly integrated their official Google Analytics add-on.
As you can imagine, the Google Sheets add-on allows you to import data directly from Google Analytics into your spreadsheets. You can create custom reports, analyze your website traffic, and track key metrics – all without leaving Google Sheets.
Install the add-on here. Note: You may need to speak to your administrator to add this app to your permissions list.
Whether you’re a programmer, product builder, or email campaign manager, you’ve probably used Lucidchart or a similar program in recent years. Essentially, Lucidchart is a diagramming application that allows you to visualize processes, information, or relationship flows. One of the main advantages of using a program like Lucidchart is its communication features. It allows you to visualize, share, and collaborate on complex ideas.
Their Google Sheets add-on functions similarly, allowing you to turn your complex data sets into a single, easily readable chart. There are many use cases, including visualizing databases, generating org charts from spreadsheet data, and transforming your process flows into something much easier to follow.
Learn more about the Lucidchart add-on here.
AppSheet is another type of visualization tool, but it works by turning your data into a no-code web application. Acquired by Google in 2020, AppSheet offers several app templates that you can use in conjunction with your Sheets data. For example, you can create project tracking, monitor stock levels, track timesheets, or manage your campaign links.
By allowing you to visualize these complex data sets through a shareable app, you can create a resource that keeps your team on the same page. Compared to ThoughtSpot for Sheets, AppSheet requires significant setup, isn’t localized within the Sheets application, and is only free to a certain point. That said, if you’re looking for a data visualization tool that will help you monitor/track a specific ongoing project, this could be an interesting avenue to explore.
Discover how to create an app with Google AppSheet today.
If, like many of us, you’ve listed on your resume that you’re proficient in Excel but didn’t really know what that entailed, this one’s for you. Instead of memorizing, searching, or asking ChatGPT for every function, this easy-to-use add-on offers a collection of tools ranging from easy to advanced.
Let’s say you need to perform a search and replace, split columns, or combine columns – the Power Tools add-on is here to help. It also has data analysis functions like conditional and numeric operations and allows you to bulk customize your formulas. You can even save table styles to match your company’s branding. With over 7 million reviews and an average rating of 4 stars, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Learn more and install the Power Tools add-on here.
If you’re tired of downloading each individual sheet as a CSV file and compiling them later, Export Sheet Data is an add-on you need to know about. Once installed, all you have to do is navigate to the sheet in question, open the Export Sheet Data add-on, select the desired format (XML, JSON, or others), configure your specific settings, and export the file. You can also view and copy the file instead of exporting it.
Since this add-on is open source, you can also collaborate with other users to improve its functionality.
Learn more and install Export Sheet Data here.
Finally, we couldn’t end an article in 2023 without mentioning the power of GPT. GPT for Sheets™ (and Docs™) allows you to use GPT directly within your productivity applications. You can use it for all sorts of text-related tasks: writing, editing, extracting, cleaning, translating, structuring, synthesizing, just to name a few from their list of features in Google Workplace. So, it’s no wonder it has been installed over 3 million times to date.
To use the app, you need to insert your OpenAI API key. Then, all you have to do is write your custom function using natural language text. This is incredibly useful for cleaning up lists, writing procedures or translations, managing product catalogs, and, in my case, finding article ideas. No matter which side of the business you work in, GPT for Sheets is a great opportunity to operationalize the power of generative AI in your business operations.
Start using GPT for Work today.
Going Beyond Google Sheets
While there’s no doubt that Google Sheets is a revolutionary tool, and these add-ons open up a world of possibilities in terms of features, there are still some things that cannot be solved within a spreadsheet. These tools are not designed to handle the massive amounts of data and sources generated by a modern business. To be a truly innovative business, you need to be able to connect all the dots across all your business data, and you can’t do that if they’re stored in siloed spreadsheets.
That’s where a true business intelligence solution like ThoughtSpot can help. Our platform allows you to search, share, and explore your data, enabling you to see the big picture and the details. And with AI-powered analytics, you can uncover the hidden anomalies, insights, and potential savings lurking within those spreadsheets.
The best part is, our Teams Edition starts at only $95 per month, and our free 30-day trial allows you to set up your analysis before spending a dime. Try it today, or schedule your individual demo to see how ThoughtSpot can enhance your data workflows.
