How to Convert Google Sheets Files to Excel

The Google Sheets application has a built-in export mechanism (as do all the Google Suite apps), so you can quickly export a Google Sheet document and open it in Excel.

Before you begin, you may want to clean up the Google spreadsheet by making sure the text font and color is consistent throughout the document. If Google Sheets is open, take the following steps:

1. Click File. Click Download as. Click Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).

    
   

2. Choose where to save the document.

3. Open the document in Excel.

If you’re looking at the document in Google Drive, take the following steps:

1. Right click it and select Download.

    
   

2. Choose where to save it. The document will automatically be converted to the Excel format.

3. Open the document in Excel.

You can also export a document to other common formats, like .csv, PDF, or HTML (if you want to share it on a web page or open it in a browser), and a couple of not-so-common formats, like OpenDocument and .tsv. The .csv and .tsv formats are text-only. Click File, click Download, choose the desired format, and follow the prompts (the steps will be different for each format).

With add-ons, you can also export Sheets documents to other formats, like JSON or XML.

Currently, there is no program available to convert a large number of files or automate the process. If this is your goal, you’ll will need some custom programming.

There are a couple of third-party apps that make it easier when you need to use both Excel and Google Sheets. Zapier and FME both connect other apps so that changes made in one document (e.g., an Excel spreadsheet) can be pushed to another (e.g., a Google Sheets spreadsheet). These changes include actions like adding rows or updating data in the sheet.

The only way to do this is to use the third-party apps as described above. Zapier and FME will keep the two documents synced.

There is no way to copy Sheets documents to Excel. Instead, in order to keep the two programs in sync, link with a third-party app or download the Sheets document in Excel format whenever you make changes.

Follow the steps above to download the Google Sheets document in Excel. If you update the Sheets document, you’ll have to re-download it to keep the Sheets and Excel versions in sync.

Whether you use Google Sheets, Excel, or another lesser-known application, spreadsheets are powerful tools that allow you to manipulate and analyze the data (both numeric and textual) in cells, columns, and rows. And, they are not just for financial professionals or accountants; creative people can use them as well. Here are some of the key benefits and features of both Excel and Google Sheets:

• Formulas, which allow you to perform all kinds of calculations — from simple math to complicated computations, like figuring out sales tax for multiple jurisdictions or determining projections of future income based on multiple factors
• Pivot tables, which allow you to filter and sort large data sets
• Visual representations of data, like line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, area graphs, histograms, and maps
• The ability to share documents with collaborators
• The ability to add comments and reply to collaborators’ questions
• The ability to format spreadsheets for web publication
• The ability to include links to external data sources
• The ability to filter and sort to facilitate analysis

Google Sheets and Excel are both spreadsheets; they both perform the same functions. But, Excel was built in the PC era, whereas Sheets is cloud-centric (storing documents on Google Drive).

Excel is more feature-rich than Google Sheets, is superior at handling complicated calculations, and offers far more in-depth support. In addition, Excel surpasses Google Sheets in the following ways:

• You can send documents as email attachments.
• You can password protect Individual documents.
• Creators can disable the ability to forward, copy, or print documents.
• Collaborators can see who’s made changes.
• There’s a free, browser-based version similar to Sheets.
• Excel has better customization options (e.g., the ability to add frequently used commands to the ribbon).
• Macros in Excel are more powerful than those in Sheets.
• Excel has more data visualization tools (like pivot charts and SmartArt) than Sheets.
• Excel has a larger library of templates.
• Excel offers more text and sheet-formatting options.  
• It's easier to edit when offline.
• Excel supports input with a stylus (called Inking).
• It’s easier to auto-populate data into cells.
• Excel can open documents in an old format (.xls).

Sheets is known for collaboration and a simple, user-friendly interface; because it’s easier to use (and free), it’s a good way to learn how to use spreadsheets. It also possesses the following features:

• Documents are automatically saved.
• Collaborators can chat in real time.
• Sharing documents doesn’t create new copies, which helps with version control.
• You can share links via email or an in-app chat window.
• There are three access levels (edit, view-only, and comment-only).
• There is a setting to prevent others from sharing documents.
• It’s easier to access and revert to earlier versions.
• Collaborators can see changes in real time.
• Because documents are stored in the cloud, it’s easy to pull data from the web to apply to formulas and calculations.
• Sheets offers real-time tips when you’re adding formulas.
• Integration with Google Forms allows automatic data collection from surveys and forms.
• Sheets makes it easier to edit documents on any device (e.g., a phone).
• With Sheets, it’s easier to embed a sheet into a web page.

If you’re moving completely out of the Google ecosystem, you’ll want to export your calendar and contacts, too.

For Calendar:

1. In the upper right, click the Settings icon, then click Settings.

    
   

2. In the sidebar, click Import & export.

    
   

3. Click Export.

    
   

4. The program will create a .zip file. Save it to your chosen location.

5. Open the .zip file. There will be two .ics files available.

6. Open your new calendar and import the file that ends with “@gmail.com.ics.” For example, If you're moving to Microsoft Outlook, (2013 or 2016), open the app, click File, click Open & Export, click Import/Export, and then follow the prompts. If you're importing into the OSX calendar app on a Mac, click File, click Import, and follow the prompts.

For Contacts:

1. In the sidebar, click More.

    
   

2. Click Export.

    
   

3. Select one of the .csv options (both are fine) and click Export.

    
   

4. The program will create a .csv file. Save it to your chosen location.

5. Open your contacts app and import the .csv file. For example, for importing into the OSX contacts app on a Mac, click File, click Import, and follow the prompts.

Both Excel and Sheets have free Android apps that offer most of the functionality available in the desktop versions. The Excel app can only access files saved on OneDrive or that have been emailed. The menu structure on a phone is different than that on a tablet version.