How To Create A Shared Excel File On SharePoint In Excel

Creating a Shared Excel File on SharePoint

Initial Publishing Steps

To create a shared Excel workbook on SharePoint, ensure you are using Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, or Excel 2013. Publishing the workbook to SharePoint is synonymous with saving it, and it allows the entire workbook, including worksheets and items like charts or PivotTables, to be saved on the SharePoint server. Users require appropriate SharePoint permissions for viewing or editing the workbook in a browser.

Controlling Visibility and Editing

When publishing to SharePoint, utilize publish options to control what is visible in the browser. Opt for sharing entire worksheets or specific items. To manage cell editability, apply defined names within the Browser View Options dialog box. Remember, all contents remain on the server even if selected items are made visible.

Preventing Version Conflicts

Publishing to a central SharePoint site prevents the circulation of multiple workbook versions, ensuring consistency and collaborative integrity. Save the workbook to the central SharePoint site rather than distributing via email to avoid version discrepancies amongst collaborators.

Requirements for Web Editing

To enable workbook editing in a web browser, the SharePoint site must have Excel for the web deployed. This will also permit multiple users to edit the workbook simultaneously in the browser, enhancing real-time collaboration across your team.

Excel vs Sourcetable: Streamlined Data Management and Analysis

Excel, a Microsoft product, is a powerful spreadsheet tool used extensively for tasks ranging from data storage to complex calculations. In contrast, Sourcetable specializes in centralizing data from over 100 sources, offering a seamless spreadsheet-like interface that enhances business intelligence tasks.

Sourcetable's integration capability far exceeds Excel's, automating the syncing of data without the need for add-ons or extensive coding, allowing for real-time collaboration and efficient data analysis. It also features an AI copilot that simplifies the creation of formulas and templates through conversational chat interfaces.

For businesses requiring advanced data manipulation and interactive reporting, Sourcetable may offer more specialized tools compared to the more versatile yet traditionally focused Excel. Sourcetable's model-building feature updates live and at faster intervals on its pro plan, which contrasts with Excel's need for manual refreshes and add-ons for similar functionality.

From a cost perspective, while Excel requires a purchase or Office 365 subscription, Sourcetable provides a clear pricing model with a 14-day free trial to assess its capabilities. Its user-friendly approach requires no coding skills, making sophisticated data management accessible to growth and operations teams.

Overall, while Excel maintains its strength in rigorous data analysis and remains a staple in many enterprises, Sourcetable positions itself as a more efficient tool for businesses to centralize, analyze, and model data in a user-friendly and collaborative environment.