Google launches online spreadsheet

Internet search engine Google has released a web-based spreadsheet application, on a limited test basis. Spreadsheets are software applications with a grid of rows and columns and calculating capabilities, which allow users to input or organise information.

California-based Google said its free, web-based application can be shared by up to ten users simultaneously. The dominant stand-alone spreadsheet is Excel from Microsoft, and Google’s move could put the two on collision course.

BBC - Google launches web spreadsheet

Users will be able to create new spreadsheets from scratch and import existing ones from CSV and XLS files. Other features include automatic saving, sorting and searching. Users will be able to print by first exporting to HTML. Charting and macros are the two major features that are not going to be included.

Initially Google Spreadsheet will only be accessible to a small group of people on first-come, first-served basis. Bear in mind that these poor folks will face “grave” limitations. They are not going to be allowed to create more than 100 spreadsheets or import files bigger than 400kb.

the Inquirer - Google to launch online spreadsheet