Google Sheets is an extremely easy spreadsheet application to use, capable of performing complex data processes. But probably the most appealing factor associated with Google Sheets is that it's FREE in marked contrast to that costly 'other' spreadsheet program on the market for Windows, and we all know the one I am talking about.
Suppose you can figure out how to connect Google Sheets with QuickBooks Online to synchronize data bi-directionally. In that case, you can customize and manipulate your data and produce both customized and standardized financial reports. This is important because you can filter and sort your data within Google Sheets in many more ways than possible within QuickBooks Online. For now, let's assume that it is possible to make such a connection and to migrate data between QBO and Google Sheets on a bid-directional basis. I will come back to the 'how' of that later in this article.
But some of you may not be totally familiar with Google Sheets and all aspects of how it works because you use that 'other' spreadsheet. But first, I need to cover a few of the basics of Google Sheets that will also be covered in the upcoming webinar at 2:00 PM Eastern on November 16, 2021, Intro to Google Sheets for QuickBooks Online featuring G-Accon.
The Google Sheets interface is very similar to that 'other' spreadsheet interface, with just a little less clutter. Basic functionality and operation are similar as well. Basic formatting options are located above your first cell (as shown in the labeled image below).
Most of these functions are pretty self-explanatory, especially if you have been using that other spreadsheet, and since they will be summarized in the webinar, I'm not going to spend time going over them. However, I want to discuss some of the 'Advanced' functions because formulas and complex data processes are really where spreadsheets excel (no pun intended).
Google Sheets features many built-in formulas to perform statistical and data manipulation. You can also combine formulas to create even more powerful math functions by stringing tasks together. If you are familiar with how that works in the 'other' spreadsheet, it is no different in Google Sheets; typically, things work the same way the vast majority of the time.
The most basic formulas in Google Sheets are:
SUM: adds a range of cells (2+3+4+5+6 = sum of 20)
AVERAGE: determines the average value of a range of cells (2,3,4,5,6 = average of 4)
COUNT: counts the value in a range of cells (2,blank,4,5,6 = 4 total cells with values)
MAX: determines the maximum (highest) value in a range of cells (2,3,4,5,6 = 6 is the maximum)
MIN: determines the minimum (lowest) value in a range of cells (2,3,4,5,6 = 2 is the minimum)
More functions… you can perform a wide variety of basic arithmetic functions like addition, subtraction, and multiplication within a cell without calling a formula.
Using SUM as an example, there are three ways to use any basic formula via the top navigation, as shown in the prior illustration.
- Select any range of cells, then click the formula, which will put the result either below or to the side of the cell range.
- Select the cell you want to use for the results, click the formula you want to use from the toolbar, and select the range of cells upon which the formula is to be applied.
- Type the formula into the cell where you want the results, making sure not to forget the = sign. Then, manually type in the range of cells to which you want the formula applied or select the cell range.
As you can see, the basics are the basics and not so different, but you will also find that there are a lot of unique aspects of Google Sheets that the webinar will cover that we won't talk about today. There are also the benefits of using Google Sheets with G-Accon for bi-directional synchronization of data between QuickBooks Online and Google Sheets and several other functions.
When used with Google Sheets, G-Accon gives you the ability to generate reports from your QBO data using their flexible templates with filters and various attributes, including dynamic, static, and custom dates. You can have multiple periods and many other unique filtering and sorting capabilities you don't have in QuickBooks. G-Accon makes it easy to create various reports from QBO data, including Aged AR/AP, General Ledger, Profit and Loss, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Detailed Transactions, and more in ways you've never seen before. In addition, you will be able to configure automatic refresh of any/all of those reports even when you are offline from QuickBooks.
Kelly G (aka Kelly Gonsalves) will be conducting this FREE Insightful Accountant webinar on November 16, 2021, at 2 PM Eastern Time, to introduce you to Google Sheets for QuickBooks Online featuring G-Accon. The webinar will focus on the essential aspects of 'what you do with your data in Google Sheets' after you sync it from QuickBooks using G-Accon.
The webinar will cover Google Sheets Basics like formulas and functions, formatting, sorting, filtering, and working with multiple sheets. It will also include some beneficial tips and tricks to help you with your everyday work with your spreadsheets. And, we will also see how easy it is to sync data between QuickBooks Online and Google Sheets using G-Accon.
A 'free' webinar can't cover everything there is to know about Google Sheets, or G-Accon, in one hour. That's why this is just an 'Intro to Google Sheets for QuickBooks Online featuring G-Accon'. However, Insightful Accountant hopes if our participants at this webinar show enough interest, we can produce and schedule several additional webinars expanding upon the concepts summarized during the introduction.
You are encouraged to register for this FREE Webinar if you are a QuickBooks Online user who wants to learn how to sync data between QBO and Google Sheets. Also, if you are someone new to using Google Sheets or who regularly uses Google Sheets, you will benefit from this FREE Webinar. And, if you are already using G-Accon, but you want to learn more about either Google Sheets, or synchronization with QuickBooks Online, then register for this FREE Webinar as well.