Google Sheets
Google Sheets is an online spreadsheet software. It allows you to organize large amounts of data, create custom reports, automate calculations, and collaborate with others. It’s part of the Google Workspace suite of products.Users can create and edit spreadsheets via the Google Sheets online web application, as well as through mobile devices running on iOS or Android.
Problem Statement
“How might we improve google sheets to make the tool more user-friendly and increase engagement.“
Market Evaluation
Understanding the landscape to evaluate the existing positioning of Google Sheets and asses the existing or upcoming competitors.
Research Approach
Persona
Core user Pain Points
Slow loading times
Large sheets with a lot of data and formulas can take a long time to load, making it frustrating for users who need to access the information quickly.
Limited offline access
Users may not always have access to an internet connection, which can make it frustrating when they are unable to access their Google Sheets.
Limited functionality
Google Sheets does not have all the advanced capabilities that users need, such as complex data analysis or visualization.
Pivot Table
The current UI for creating and editing pivot tables is not very intuitive and includes unnessary steps.
Errors in formulas
Errors encountered in formulas can be difficult to troubleshoot and fix, given the error messages can be vague. Finding solutions on the web is tedious.
Brainstorming Solutions
Providing a desktop app
That would allow users to store and process data offline and allowing background sync to cloud, thereby using local resources to reduce load times for large databases.
Function Debugger
To make important features more intuitive, debugging formula errors convenient and enhanced Dashboarding capabilities.
Simplify Pivot Table
More intuitive and easy to apply functionality to save time and effort
Smart Genie (AI assistant)
To provide suggestions and fixes based on knowledge, usage pattern and user feedback on provided suggestions over time.
Integration with external data sources
Google Sheets could integrate with more external data sources, social media platforms, marketing automation tools, and CRMs to enable easy data consolidations from multiple sources.
Idea Prioritization
Feature Concepts
Concept 1: Function Debugger
Introduce a function debugger view to enable users with a dedicated space to review the parameters and syntax of the various functions. The debugger will also provide examples of formula application, highlight errors and prompt the smart genie to provide further assistance with the error solving.
How can a user access it?
The users can access the function debugger from multiple places like the in the function edit bar as well as prompt from the error alert.
Function Debugger: A Smart function debugger that analyses the potential error and assists user in solving it while educating them
Concept 2: Smart Genie
Introducing an AI Assistant (smart genie) to assist, educate and simplify the application of complex formulas, functions, and actions. Genie automatically starts analyzing the data entered in the sheet and curates a list of suggestions with sample functions and formulas.
How can a user access it?
The Genie will be omnipresent in the journey within Google Sheets and will contextually show up automatically when it detects its need for the user.
Smart Tips: Based on the data entered in the sheet, smart genie will suggest sample functions and formula.
Smart Debugging: Present the users with smart error messages, i.e. a list of potential fixes and a one click application of the suggested fix to save time for user.
Measuring Success
Acquisition
- No. of new users/Sign Ups
- WoW / MoM number of users
Engagement
- Daily Active Users/Monthly Active Users
- Average session length
- Frequency of remote collaboration on sheets
Revenue
- Increase in the paid users (users who bought subscription and continued to renew it)