OUR VERDICT
Smartsheet could be an advanced programme tool, though it’s removed from the best software package to use if all you wish is project management. If you’ll be able to pass through the steep learning curve, Smartsheet is flexible enough to make hybrid, cross-data spreadsheets and allows machine-controlled workflows. However, the platform still lacks some basic collaboration options like auto-updating across the cloud.
| FOR | AGAINST |
| Supports hybrid spreadsheets with cross-department data | Very steep learning curve |
| Tons of app integrations and additional templates | Spreadsheets don’t instantly update for collaborators |
| Enables automated workflows across spreadsheets | More expensive than competing spreadsheet software |
Smartsheet isn’t your normal task control platform. Instead, it’s an Excel-like spreadsheet software program that lets in for complicated statistics displays. While the platform can unencumber a ton of flexibleness to your business, it takes a supervisor who really loves spreadsheets to get the maximum out of this software program. Smartsheet isn’t particularly smooth to use, and it lacks the intuitive layout of lots of its committed task control competitors.
How does Smartsheet work?
Work in Smartsheet focuses on “sheets” that contain information about one or more particular projects.
In each sheet, users can include a variety of details related to a project, such as description, status, due dates, and workers assigned to perform a task. Users can also attach files, add comments, request updates, among other options.
There are several ways to view sheets, from a spreadsheet-like grid view that has long been the focus of the Smartsheet product, to Kanban style, Gantt charts, and calendar view tabs.
Users can generate custom reports that collect data from sources in multiple sheets, such as providing an overview of sales activity in a team. And dashboards can be created to provide high-level insight into data in sheets, combining widgets such as charts, metrics, and reports.
Smartsheet offers a range of integrations with other collaboration, productivity, and enterprise apps, including Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Atlassian Jira, ServiceNow, and Salesforce. Workflow automation can be configured with a variety of triggers and actions, such as multi-step approval processes or notifications to coworkers through Slack of an impending deadline.
Smartsheet also offers a no-code platform, Work Apps. in 2020, Work Apps enables users to build simple applications by consolidating information from sheets, forms and dashboards into a simple interface.
spreadsheet Workflow Automation
One of the cool features that Smartsheet offers are workflows, which allow you to automate some of your spreadsheets. Specifically, workflows allow you to use data to trigger additional events in your sheets. Then you can automatically assign new users to a project when a certain task is marked as complete or trigger email alerts when a specific milestone or spending limit is reached.
spreadsheet App Integration
Smartsheet has a huge additional software integration capability. As you hope, the platform works right out of the box with most of the major cloud storage providers and Google Apps. There’s also a Smartsheet Apps Marketplace where you’ll find new spreadsheet templates, one-click integrations, and premium add-ons. If you can’t find the integration you need, you can go to the Smartsheet API to develop new features.
Smartsheet Pricing
Smartsheet offers four different pricing plans. Each price increase gives users access to more advanced features. All pricing plans come with the same basic functionality, including multiple work views, collaboration features, and mobile apps.
of Smartsheet are quite reasonable considering the total amount has to offer, and you can change your plan, add new users, or cancel your plan at any time, even if you have an annual subscription. Smartsheet also offers discounts for qualifying nonprofits and a 30-day trial (no credit card required) that you can use to test the software, after which you’ll be prompted to choose one of four options. different subscription:
Individual Plan
Smartsheet’s Individual Plan costs $14/user per month (when paid annually) and includes:
· Free users
· Integrations
· Free templates
· Forms
· Automate workflows
Business Plan
Smartsheet’s Business Plan costs $25/user per month (when paid annually) and includes everything in the Individual Plan, plus:
· $25 per user per month (when paid annually)
· Dashboards and charts
· Activity log
· Data analytics provided by Connectors
· Manage groups and users
· Reports
· Custom branding
· Minimum of 3 licenses
Enterprise Plan
Smartsheet’s Enterprise Plan is available for a custom price (contact Smartsheet for a quote) and includes everything in the Business Plan, plus:
· Unlimited sheets
· WorkApps
· Single sign-on with Directory Integration
· Automates adding users
· Approved domain sharing
· Configurable file storage options
· Customizable user experience
· Access to Premium add-ons
· System and group admin features
Premium Plan
Smartsheet’s Premium Plan is available for a custom price and includes everything in the Enterprise Plan, plus:
· Premium support
· Data Uploader
· Premium apps (Calendar, DataMesh, Pivot, Dynamic View)
· Premium application connectors (Jira, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365)
Interface and In Use
It’s no surprise that Smartsheet isn’t the world’s easiest project management tool – it’s entirely spreadsheet-based after all. If you are an Excel assistant, Smartsheets will be much easier to learn than if you avoid spreadsheets as much as possible. However, there are a few differences in the formulas and menu layout, so the software requires a learning curve for almost everyone.
Specifically, at the start, you will need to determine which models will work for your business. The platform and models are categorized by business area (eg project management, sales, marketing, IT, etc. But there are also other models to explore in the Smartsheet app store.
Smartsheet presents There are also some shortcomings once you have settled into the software. One of the main things is that there is no easy way for collaborators to see who is working on which document. So if you are working in a team, you will need to think of a strategy to avoid overwriting work on a single activity management spreadsheet.
Additionally, even though Smartsheet is cloud-based software, it lacks an automatic continuous recording feature. The platform will save your work in intervals, but if you want a chance to be instantly transmitted to collaborators on a spreadsheet, you have to press a “Save” button.
Support
Smartsheet has a huge library of video tutorials to help you navigate the software. There is also a lot of documentation online for solving the most common problems.
However, Smartsheet is light on direct customer support. You can only contact the company through an email support ticket system. It may therefore take a full business day or more to get your questions answered.
The Competition
Smartsheet is very similar to Air Table, which also uses advanced spreadsheets to organize projects and all other aspects of your business. Air Table is slightly cheaper and offers a more intuitive interface, but lacks the depth of functionality that Smartsheet offers. In particular, Air Table lacks tools for automating workflows, and it’s much more difficult to create hybrid spreadsheets.
Final Verdict
Smartsheet is very similar to Air Table, which also uses advanced spreadsheets to organize projects and all other aspects of your business. Air Table is slightly cheaper and offers a more intuitive interface, but lacks the depth of functionality that Smartsheet offers. In particular, Air Table lacks tools for automating workflows, and it’s much more difficult to create hybrid spreadsheets.