I want to get better at automation and figured I could start by organizing my personal budget and expenses. I’m torn between using Excel or Google Sheets for this project. Excel seems really powerful when it comes to complex formulas and customization options, but Google Sheets is great because I can access it from anywhere and it’s free. I need to pick one platform and stick with it for the long haul, so I’m looking for advice from people who actually use these tools for budgeting. What has worked best for you and why?
I’ve tried both and stuck with Google Sheets for my personal finances. The auto-sync across devices is what sold me - I can log expenses on my phone while shopping, then check everything on my laptop later. It’s also great when my spouse and I need to track joint expenses together. Sure, Excel’s more powerful for complex stuff, but Google Sheets handles basic budgeting just fine. The built-in budget templates are decent starting points too. Plus it plays well with other Google services, so I can pull data from forms or wherever else I need it.
i totally get it! google sheets is awesome for on-the-go tracking and easy sharing with friends. if access is key for your budget, go with sheets! excel is great but kinda ties you down to one comp.
I’ve used both for years and stuck with Excel. Once my budgeting got more complex, I needed the advanced pivot tables and VBA scripting that Excel offers. Google Sheets works fine for basic tracking, but I kept running into walls when I tried building dynamic expense categories and automated reports. Plus Excel works offline - super handy when the internet’s down and I need to log transactions. That said, if you’re just starting out with spreadsheet budgeting, Google Sheets is probably your best bet since it’s way easier to learn.