Smartsheet vs Excel: A Comparison Guide

[jrineakter]

Managing projects across multiple departments often involves managing multiple spreadsheets, which can lead to confusion and inefficiency.

While Microsoft Excel has long been the go-to tool for organizing data, Smartsheet offers Excel-like features with enhanced project management capabilities.

In this blog, we'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of Smartsheet versus Excel to help you decide which tool best fits your project management needs.

We will also present an alternative solution that could offer even greater flexibility and ease of use.

What is Smartsheet?
Smartsheet for work collaboration

via Smartsheet Smartsheet is a cloud-based project management platform with more features than your typical spreadsheet tool.

Think of it as a mix between Excel and a project management tool, but with smoother workflows and less hassle when it comes to team collaboration.

Its many features include Gantt charts, automated workflows, and customizable templates.

Smartsheet Features
Smartsheet has all the features you need to make your life easier. Let's explore them together:

1. Real-time collaboration
Smartsheet allows you to collaborate on tasks

via Smartsheet Smartsheet lets you and your team work simultaneously on the same document, without version control nightmares.

Everyone can make updates, leave comments, and track progress without the confusion of endless email attachments.

Plus, you can assign tasks, add bahrain number data attachments, set task dependencies, and follow up with everyone on your team to keep your project on track (especially helpful if you're working on multiple projects).

Note: Curious to know more Excel alternatives? Check out our list of the 11 Best Excel Alternatives and Competitors !

2. Automated workflows
Smartsheet vs. Excel: Automated Workflows in Smartsheet

via Smartsheet Instead of wasting time on repetitive tasks (sending reminders, updating status fields, etc.), you can set up smart triggers with Smartsheet's automated workflows.

Think of it like a game of dominoes: one action triggers another until everything falls into place perfectly.

Want to notify your team when a deadline is approaching? Smartsheet will send an alert.

Need to update a field when a task is completed? Completed. Automatically.


You can customize these workflows to fit your team's specific processes, saving time and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

3. Gantt charts and resource management
Smartsheet Gantt Charts and Resource Management

via Smartsheet If you like to view your projects on an easy-to-understand timeline, Gantt charts may become your new productivity hack.

Gantt charts in Smartsheet allow you to correlate all tasks, deadlines, and task dependencies so you always have a clear picture of your project's progress. No more scrambling to figure out what needs to be done and when—you can see it all at once.

Smartsheet also gives you the tools to allocate your team’s time and is very useful for resource management.

You can track hours, manage budgets, coordinate teams, and more—all without having to deal with the usual chaos.



via Microsoft Smartsheet's seamless integration with tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Power BI takes your workflow to the next level.

Instead of switching between apps, Smartsheet brings all your data together in one place, allowing for easy collaboration and improved data visualization .

You can also pull data from external sources, making it easy to keep everything in sync and up to date.

5. Mobile apps and cloud storage
iOS app with accessibility features in Smartsheet

/%img/ Smartsheet Need to manage your projects on the go? Smartsheet mobile apps let you do just that, giving you complete control over your projects remotely.

Whether you're in a meeting or out of the office, you can quickly check task progress, update statuses, or make changes with just a few taps.

Smartsheet cloud storage services keep all your data safe and accessible—no more lost files or outdated versions.

Smartsheet Pricing
Pro : $9 per member/month (billed annually) for 1-10 members, unlimited viewers. Includes Gantt, Grid, Board, Calendar, Unlimited Sheets views, 250 automations/month
Business : $19 per member/month (billed annually) for 3+ members, unlimited guests/visitors. Adds timeline view, team tracking, admin tools, unlimited automation, and 1TB of storage
Enterprise : Custom pricing. Includes all enterprise features, plus AI formulas, SAML SSO, WorkApps, unlimited storage, and advanced integrations
What is Excel?
Smartsheet vs. Excel for data analysis

via Microsoft For decades, Microsoft Excel has been the go-to spreadsheet tool for everything from charting to analyzing finances to organizing business data.

Excel offers powerful data analysis features. This makes it an essential tool within the Microsoft Office suite for anyone who handles complex calculations, structured data, or manages databases.

It focuses primarily on data manipulation and visualization. You can create complex formulas, perform complex calculations, and organize large amounts of information in its signature grid layout.

Additionally, Excel integrates with other Microsoft Office applications. This makes it crucial for workflows that rely on seamless transitions between other MS tools, such as PowerPoint presentations and Word documents.