Google recently announced adding new features to the Google Sheets to make it better for businesses to analyze and visualize their data with better formatting options and ability to automate repetitive tasks.
The new ‘record macros’ feature in the Google Sheets does exactly what its name says: record macros in sheets. It provides a way to automate the repetitive tasks within the sheets, which can potentially save hours of time.
For example, a user needs to build the same chart in multiple sheets. Manually doing it can consume several hours. The ‘record macros’ allows the user to record the actions in the Sheet. The recorded macro can be played back on command, and can be used on several sheets, with no need to write any code.
How record macros work?
When a user records a macro, Sheets automatically converts the macro into an Apps Script. This also means that if the user wants to edit or make a slight change, he can do it by editing the script.
The new functionality also allows users to write their own Apps Script functions and import them as new macros.
Since the macros functionality in the Google Sheets is cloud-based, the users or teams can run macros without any interruption even when the other team members are working in the sheet.
“For example, a finance team having a budget meeting can run macros while reviewing the same spreadsheet. It also means that coworkers or clients won’t be forced to download sensitive files to use your macros. Since your Sheets files are in the cloud, you can keep tighter controls over who can view and re-share your data,” explained Ryan Weber, Product Manager, G Suite, in a blog post.
Other than the record macros feature, Google has also brought a couple of more features to the Sheets. The users can add page breaks when printing a spreadsheet, customize the paper sizes, group the rows and columns, and turn a cell into a checkbox.
Also read: Google launches DeepMind technology enabled Cloud Text-to-Speech for developers
The data in pivot tables can now be grouped according to time frames (week, month, year).
Image Source: Google
Intelligent Pivot tables bring Google’s artificial intelligence capabilities into Sheets to help the users analyze and get new insights, irrespective of your data analytics skills.
