I’m currently managing a massive Google Sheets file with over 5000 rows of data. The spreadsheet has multiple worksheets that are interconnected through various formulas and calculations. My team of several people needs to access this file daily to make edits and updates. The problem is that the performance has become terrible. Loading times are incredibly long and working with the data feels painfully slow. A colleague mentioned Airtable as a potential alternative, but I have zero experience with database platforms like this. I’ve spent some time looking into different options but I’m still confused about which direction to go. I also heard about Power BI but I’m not certain if it allows data editing or if it’s just for viewing reports. What would be the most suitable solution for my team’s needs?
I’ve been there with the frustration of handling massive datasets in tools that weren’t built for team collaboration. We switched to PostgreSQL with a clean interface a few years ago and it completely transformed our workflow. Yes, there’s setup involved, but the performance boost is absolutely worth it. If you want something simpler and more accessible, check out Notion databases or Microsoft Dataverse - especially if you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem. Quick note: Power BI won’t help with your editing needs since it’s just for visualization. Whatever you pick, make sure it handles user permissions and change tracking when you’ve got multiple people working in it.
Honestly, Airtable’s probably your best option. It’s like a mix of spreadsheets and databases, so it won’t be too hard to learn. We switched from Google Sheets last year and it’s way better. Collaboration actually works properly, and you can still use most of the formulas you’re used to.