Do you need to edit Excel files? If so, you have two options: you can use a desktop Excel sheet editor, or you can use an online Excel sheet editor. Both have their pros and cons, so it can be difficult to decide which is the best option for you. In this blog post, we will compare the two options and help you decide which is the best choice for your needs.
Table of Contents
Online vs Offline usage
Desktop Excel sheet editors are installed on your computer, and you can use them even if you are not connected to the internet. This means that you can work on your files even when you are offline. However, a desktop Excel sheet editor can be expensive, and they often require a subscription.
Online excel sheet editors are web-based, so you can access them from any internet-connected device. They are usually cheaper than desktop Excel sheet editors, and some of them even offer free plans. However, online excel sheet editors can be slower and less reliable than desktop software.
Ease of use
Both desktop and online Excel sheet editors are easy to use. However, online excel sheet editors often have more basic features than desktop software. This can be both a good and a bad thing – it can make the software easier to use, but it can also make it less powerful to use as software.
If you are new to Excel, or if you only need to do basic tasks, online Excel sheet editors such as Google Sheets, Zoho Sheet, A1Office XLS editor, etc. will be easier to use. If you are an experienced user who needs more advanced features, an offline desktop excel sheet editor will be a better choice.
Functionality
Both desktop and online excel sheet editors have a wide range of features. However, offline software often has more features than online software. This is because offline software can be more expensive to develop and maintain.
If you need advanced features, such as the ability to create macros or use pivot tables, you will need an offline Excel sheet editor. However, if you only need to do basic tasks, an online Excel sheet editor will be sufficient.
Costs
Desktop Excel sheet editors can be expensive, and they often require a subscription. Online excel sheet editors are usually cheaper than desktop Excel sheet editors, and some of them even offer free plans.
If you are on a budget, an online excel sheet editor will be the better choice. However, if you need more advanced features, you will need to choose a desktop Excel sheet editor.
Collaboration
If you need to collaborate with others on Excel files, an online excel sheet editor will be the better choice. This is because online excel sheet editors have built-in collaboration features, such as the ability to comment on cells and share files.
Desktop Excel sheet editors can also be used for collaboration, but they often require a third-party plugin or application. This can make things more complicated and difficult to use.
Accessibility
If you need to access your Excel files from different devices, an online excel sheet editor will be the better choice. This is because online excel sheet editors can be accessed from any internet-connected device.
Desktop Excel sheet editors can also be accessed from different devices, but you will need to install the software on each device. This can be expensive and time-consuming.
Security
Both desktop and online excel sheet editors have security features. However, offline software often has more robust security features. This is because it is more difficult for hackers to access offline software.
If you are concerned about security, an offline Excel sheet editor will be the better choice. However, if you are willing to trade off some security for convenience, an online excel sheet editor will be sufficient.
Conclusion:
There is no clear winner when it comes to desktop Excel sheet editor vs online Excel sheet editor. It depends on your needs as to which one is the best choice for you. If you need to edit Excel files offline, a desktop Excel sheet editor will be the better choice. However, if you need to collaborate with others or access your files from different devices, an online excel sheet editor will be the better option.
