Engl 317 Project 4 White Paper

Microsoft Excel
Vs.
Google Spreadsheets
Comparison of Excel and Google Spreadsheets
Excel vs. Google Spreadsheets 2
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Methodology................................................................................................................................................. 3
Tasks.......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Test Environment ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Evaluative Criteria/Rating Scale ................................................................................................................ 3
Results ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Task 1: ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Task 2: ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Task 3: ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Task 4: ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Task 5: ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Task 6: ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Task 7: ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Task 8: ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Task 9: ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Task 10: ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Introduction
This white paper describes the findings of a usability testing on two spreadsheet creating
programs, Microsoft excel and google spreadsheets. The usability test consists of ten tasks that
both programs must perform. These tasks are everyday jobs that could be useful to a new user.
Microsoft excel and google spreadsheets are evaluated based on their performance in each of
these tasks and are rated on a Likert scale respectively.
Methodology
Tasks
1. Create a Sum Formula, which adds up multiple rows together.
2. Use a template to create a monthly planner.
3. Add a few shapes and icons to the planner, to make it more attractive.
4. Create a table in a new spreadsheet with a list of random monetary values.
5. Sort the data in step (4) based on greatest value.
6. Remove all duplicate values within the data.
7. Design a bar graph to go with the table created in step (4).
8. Create a budget function based on the table and graph, to calculate costs,
and profit/loss of the monetary values.
9. Apply cell borders/cell shading to the spreadsheet.
10. Save and Print out the spreadsheet.
Test Environment
The series of usability tasks that were performed were done on a windows
operating system. The tests were conducted in October 2018 and were run using
the latest patches of excel and google spreadsheets. They were completed in a
secluded environment, without distractions, and there were minimal other
processes running on the computer at the given time.
Evaluative Criteria/Rating Scale

The Criteria statements are:
Effective: “I was able to complete the task fully.”
Efficient: “The task took a reasonable amount of time, and mouse clicks.”
Engaging: “The product made the task easy and simple to perform.”
Error Tolerant: “The Product helped me through errors, and no major
complications came through them.”
Easy to Learn: “The product itself was easy to learn and didn’t require much
effort to get used to.”
Likert Scale:
Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly

Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Results
Task 1: Create a sum formula, which adds up multiple rows together.
The two pictures above depict a basic Sum formula in both Excel and Google
Spreadsheets. In this task, both programs performed extremely similarly. They both performed
efficiently and took virtually no time to complete the task.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn
Excel Google Spreadsheet
Task 2: Use a template to create a monthly planner.

As you can see, from the screenshots above, the template for each program was very
different. Excel had a much wider variety of choices when it came to templates. I found just
what I was looking for in a monthly planner, however with google spreadsheets, the closest
template that I found was a weekly planner. This lowered the points in the effective category
down to a 4, since it did not provide a monthly planner template.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 3: Add a few shapes and icons to the planner to make it more
attractive.
This screenshot is taken from the Excel spreadsheet, which accomplished this task
nicely. It had a very wide variety of both icons, and shapes to choose from. As seen above, it
had all sorts of icons, that could match all sorts of different activities that I wanted to represent.
Google Spreadsheets on the other hand, had no icons to choose from at all. They had the same
basic shapes as Excel, but lacked the wide variety that Excel had.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 4: Create a table in a new spreadsheet with a list of random monetary

values.
Google Spreadsheet: Excel:
During this task, I found that Excel had a really nice “insert table” command that created
a table out of the data I had entered. While, with Google Spreadsheet, I found no such
command, I simply split it into two columns and labeled both columns for my table. Otherwise,
both programs look similar with the completed output.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 5: Sort the data in step (4) based on greatest value.

Google Spreadsheet:
Excel:
Taking a look at both screenshots, we can see that both programs had exactly what we
needed to sort the data from greatest to least in an instant. They both performed the task
quickly, and both commands were easy to find on each program.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 6: Remove all duplicate values within the data.

Excel:
Google Spreadsheet:
Again, within excel there was a really nice “Remove Duplicate” command that was easy
to find in the command bar. However, in Google Spreadsheets there was no such command,
however there was a handy built-in formula called UNIQUE that did the job. The problem with
the UNIQUE formula was that you had to place it in a cell block of its own, so I had to create a
new income column as depicted in the screenshot, so that I could easily transfer all the data
over without losing any of them. On the other hand, in Excel since it was a command rather
than a formula, all I had to do was just select the data and it did it for me. Furthermore, in
efficiency, it took a little time to find the “remove duplicate” command, however the UNIQUE
command was not easy to find. It took some searching through built-in commands to find what
I was looking for.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 7: Design a bar graph to go with the table created in step (4).
Google Spreadsheet:
Excel:
Both programs, performed well in this task, because both of them had an insert graph or
chart function that quickly and easily added a bar graph for me, comparing the income to the
costs columns. Since each program made this task so simple and easy to perform, I gave them
both the max of 5 points in each category.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 8: Create a budget function based on the table and graph, to calculate
costs, and profit/loss of each monetary value.
Excel:
Google Spreadsheet:
For this task, I created my own formulas to calculate the profit/loss and total profit/loss,
and both programs performed similarly. They both make it quite easy to add your own formula
and make it easy to copy that formula into nearby cell blocks. I did run into a complication
when adding my total profit/loss in the Microsoft Excel program. For some reason, it was not
using one of the values in the table correctly, and was saying it was not a number, so I
recreated the formula in another cell block, and it worked.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 9: Apply cell borders/cell shading to the spreadsheet.

Excel:
Google Spreadsheet:
Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheets both have similar methods to adding and
changing borders and shading of cell blocks. It took me a little while to find out how to change
them in Google Spreadsheets, because it is not labeled well.
Likert Scale
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Task 10: Save and print out the spreadsheet.

When it comes to saving the spreadsheets, both programs work slightly different. With
Microsoft Excel, you can manually save it to wherever you want to on your computer. However,
with Google Spreadsheets, it automatically saves onto google drive. One way isn’t necessarily
better than the other, as it might depend on your preference or what you are trying to
accomplish. When printing, both programs have similar printing options, and both worked well.
Likert Scale
6
0

Overall Results
Overall Scores
52
50
48
46
44
42
40
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheets function almost equally.
However, Microsoft Excel had more readily available commands that made some tasks easier.
For example, the “remove duplicate” command in Excel made task 6 simple and easy. Even
though Google had a formula that accomplished the same thing as Excel’s “remove duplicate”
command, it was much harder to find, not as accessible, and harder to use. Google
Spreadsheets also had less variety of commands and templates. For instance, in task 2 and 3,
Google spreadsheets fell short of Excel when it came to built-in templates, icons, and shapes.
Therefore, Microsoft Excel has an edge over Google Spreadsheets in how easy it is to use and in
functionality.
Bibliography
https://www.google.com/sheets/about/
http://static.iconarchive.com/show/webtoys-icons-by-artdesigner/Sheet-of-paper-
icon.html
https://www.cleverducks.com/2018/01/04/moving-your-office-opening-a-new-office-
your-it-service-provider-is-a-key-partner-in-the-process/excel-icon/
Appendix
Tasks Microsoft Excel (ME) Google Spreadsheets (GS)
Task 1 Create a Sum Formula, which adds up multiple rows Create a Sum Formula, which adds up multiple rows
together. together.
Efficient The task took a reasonable amount of time, and The task took a reasonable amount of time, and
mouse clicks. mouse clicks.
ME – 5 Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly
GS – 5 Disagree Disagree Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effective I was able to complete the task. I was able to complete the task.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engaging The Product made the task easy and simple to The Product made the task easy and simple to
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error The Product helped me through errors, and no The Product helped me through errors, and no
Tolerant major complications came through them. major complications came through them.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to The Product itself was easy to learn and didn’t The Product itself was easy to learn and didn’t
Learn require much effort to get used to. require much effort to get used to.
ME -5 Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Both Products accomplished this task very easily. [Describe what happened as you did the task]
Notes Both have a surplus of basic formulas you can just
copy into a cell, which made it very simple.
Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Task 2 Use a template to create a monthly planner. Use a template to create a monthly planner.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effective I was able to complete the task fully. I was able to complete the task.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
ME -5 Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel had many templates to choose Google Spreadsheets, had less templates to
Notes from and had a very good weekly planner choose from, so I went with a slightly different
template. It was very easy to fill in each day. planner. It was more of a daily planner, than a
weekly planner. However, it was still very easy to fill
in each day.

Task 3 Add a few shapes and icons to the planner, to Add a few shapes and icons to the planner, to
make it more attractive. make it more attractive.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to The Product itself was easy to learn and didn’t T The Product itself was easy to learn and didn’t
ME - 5 Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel had lots of shapes and icons to Google Spreadsheets, had less shapes and had no
Notes choose from. Ranging from all kinds of stuff. It was icons. It was super easy to add a smiley face, but to
simple to add them, and I found just what I was add an icon of a family or something, I would have
looking for. had to either draw it myself, or had a picture ready
to upload.

Task 4 Create a table in a new spreadsheet with a list of Create a table in a new spreadsheet with a list of
random monetary values. random monetary values.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel had an insert table command than Google Spreadsheets did not have such a
Notes made it super simple. command, so I just added column labels to make a
table.

Task 5 Sort the data in step (4) based on greatest value. Sort the data in step (4) based on greatest value.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel had an easy to use sort command, Google Spreadsheets also had an easy to use sort
Notes that accomplished the task easily. command

Task 6 Remove all duplicate values within the data. Remove all duplicate values within the data.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel performed much better in this task Google Spreadsheets was harder to use in this
Notes than GS, It had the perfect command for the job. case. I had to find a formula called UNIQUE that
almost performed as well as ME.

Task 7 Design a bar graph to go with the table created in Design a bar graph to go with the table created in
step (4). step (4).
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel had an insert graph command that Google Spreadsheets also had an insert chart
Notes did the job. command that did the same thing.

Task 8 Create a budget function based on the table and Create a budget function based on the table and
graph, to calculate costs, and profit/loss of the graph, to calculate costs, and profit/loss of the
monetary values. monetary values.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel performed well, except when I first Google Spreadsheets worked perfectly in this task,
Notes entered the formula, it did not work properly, and I had no trouble.
because it was not using the value of a cell block
correctly.

Task 9 Apply cell borders/cell shading to the spreadsheet. Apply cell borders/cell shading to the spreadsheet.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel had well labeled commands to Google Spreadsheets also had commands to do
Notes change the borders and cell shading. this, but were not labeled as well, and took a little
while to find.

Task 10 Save and print out the spreadsheet. Save and print out the spreadsheet.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
perform. perform.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheets work Google Spreadsheets

Notes slightly different when it comes to saving the
documents, however they both have very similar
print options.

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Microsoft Excel

Evaluative Criteria/Rating Scale

Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Task 2: Use a template to create a monthly planner.

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Task 4: Create a table in a new spreadsheet with a list of random monetary

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Task 5: Sort the data in step (4) based on greatest value.

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Task 6: Remove all duplicate values within the data.

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Task 9: Apply cell borders/cell shading to the spreadsheet.

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Task 10: Save and print out the spreadsheet.

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Excel Google Spreadsheet

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Tasks Microsoft Excel Google Spreadsheets

Additional Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheets work Google Spreadsheets

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