What is Smartsheet?
What is Smartsheet?
Riley Walz
Riley Walz
Riley Walz
Jun 6, 2025
Jun 6, 2025
Jun 6, 2025
Consider you've been given a project that requires you to gather, track, and analyze data from multiple sources. You quickly realize that Google Sheets just won't cut it. While it's a handy tool for organizing and analyzing data, it lacks the features and functionality to help you manage complex projects. Enter Smartsheet.
This platform is similar to Google Sheets in that it uses a spreadsheet-like interface. But it also offers so much more in terms of project collaboration, automation, visualization, and integration with other tools. In this guide Google Sheets hacks, we'll answer the question, "What is Smartsheet?" and help you determine if it’s the right tool for your next project.
A Smartsheet alternative that can also help you achieve your project goals is the Spreadsheet AI Tool from numerous. This tool uses artificial intelligence to help you unlock the full potential of your spreadsheets so that you can work faster and smarter.
Table of Content
What Is Smartsheet?
At its core, Smartsheet looks like a spreadsheet. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, the interface will feel familiar. But under the surface, it’s far more powerful. It’s built specifically for project management, tracking tasks, assigning responsibilities, collecting data, and automating workflows without requiring code.
The Origin and Evolution of Smartsheet
Smartsheet was launched in 2006 as a more straightforward and flexible way to manage work. Over time, it has evolved into a robust enterprise-grade platform trusted by companies like Netflix, Cisco, Pfizer, and Google.
It was designed to solve one big problem:
Most work lives in scattered spreadsheets, email threads, and disconnected tools. Smartsheet brings all of that together in one living workspace where your data, people, updates, tasks, and files all live in context.
How Is Smartsheet Different from Excel or Google Sheets?
While Smartsheet’s interface is spreadsheet-style, its function is project-based. That means it includes features you won’t find in Excel, such as:
Built-in task assignments
Automated workflows (like reminders, updates, and alerts)
Project views like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars
Permissions and collaboration tools for teams
Forms to collect data directly into your sheet
Real-time dashboards to visualize project metrics
In short, it’s not just about managing cells and formulas; it’s about managing work.
What Can You Do With Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is incredibly versatile. Here are just a few things users do every day:
Manage projects
Break work into tasks, set deadlines, assign team members, and track progress in Gantt or card views.
Automate processes
Set up workflows to move tasks, send notifications, or trigger approvals.
Track data live
Whether it’s inventory, budget, or campaign assets, Smartsheet lets you monitor everything in real time.
Collect structured info
Use forms to collect data that feeds directly into sheets, perfect for surveys, requests, or incident reports.
Create dashboards
Build executive-level reports with charts, KPIs, and status updates that update automatically.
This flexibility is why teams in marketing, HR, operations, IT, construction, education, and many more industries all use Smartsheet.
Who Is It For?
Smartsheet works well for:
Teams that use spreadsheets but want more structure
Project managers who need accountability and visibility
Organizations that juggle complex workflows or approvals
Freelancers and consultants managing client deliverables and reporting
Enterprises that need scalable work execution platforms
Whether you're a team of 3 or a company of 3,000, Smartsheet adapts to the way you work — and helps you work better.
Related Reading
• Google Docs Hacks
• Best AI Tools for Data Analysis
• Can ChatGPT Analyze Excel Data
• How to Use AI in Google Docs
• How to Analyze Data in Google Sheets
7 Powerful Benefits of Using Smartsheet
1. Smartsheet: Like a Spreadsheet, Only Better
One of Smartsheet's biggest strengths is its spreadsheet-like interface. Users who are already comfortable with Excel or Google Sheets can get started quickly. But unlike a static spreadsheet, Smartsheet allows you to:
Assign tasks to people
Attach files and comments to rows
Set deadlines and reminders
View the same data as a Gantt chart, calendar, card view, or grid
Why it matters
You get the ease of spreadsheets with the structure and power of project management software, with no steep learning curve required.
2. Real-Time Collaboration and Communication
Smartsheet eliminates the messy back-and-forth of emails and scattered files.
With Smartsheet
Multiple team members can edit the same sheet at once
You can leave comments on specific rows or cells
Version history keeps a log of all changes
Notifications alert team members when they’re assigned or tagged
Why it matters
Everyone stays on the same page, and conversations happen exactly where the work is being done, not in your inbox.
3. Powerful Automation Without Code
Smartsheet’s built-in automation engine allows you to automate repetitive workflows using simple rules:
When a row is updated → notify someone
When a status changes, → move the row to another sheet
When a form is submitted → assign a task
You can even build multi-step logic for approvals, escalations, and status changes.
Why it matters
Automation saves time, reduces errors, and keeps work flowing without manual intervention, and you don’t need to know a single line of code.
4. Customizable Dashboards and Reports
Smartsheet makes it easy to visualize your data and share it with stakeholders:
Create dashboards with charts, KPIs, progress bars, and custom widgets
Generate cross-sheet reports that update in real time
Share dashboards as read-only views or public links
Why it matters
Executives and project leads can get instant visibility into project status, blockers, and metrics, without waiting for manual reports.
5. Templates That Accelerate Setup
Not sure where to start? Smartsheet offers hundreds of professionally designed templates, including:
Project trackers
Marketing calendars
Budget spreadsheets
Product roadmaps
Employee onboarding checklists
You can also save your sheets as templates.
Why it matters
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Smartsheet helps you get started fast and standardize your processes across teams.
6. Secure, Scalable, and Enterprise-Ready
Smartsheet is built for both small teams and large enterprises. It offers:
Role-based permissions and sheet-level access controls
Integration with identity providers (SSO, Okta, etc.)
Audit trails and activity logs
Data loss prevention (DLP) and governance tools
Why it matters
Whether you’re a startup or a global corporation, Smartsheet ensures your data is safe, controlled, and compliant.
7. Deep Integrations with Your Existing Tools
Smartsheet connects with tools your team already uses, including:
Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Google Workspace (Sheets, Gmail, Drive)
Slack, Jira, Salesforce, DocuSign, Box, and more
Zapier and Power Automate for custom workflows
Why it matters
Instead of switching platforms or creating silos, Smartsheet seamlessly integrates into your current tech stack, helping you do more with less friction.
Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool
Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, E-Commerce businesses, and more to automate tasks many times over through AI, such as writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more functions by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet.
With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for spreadsheets tool.
Related Reading
• How to Automate Excel
• Google Docs AI Scraping
• Google Sheets Data Visualization
• How to Auto Fill in Google Sheets
• How to Auto Sum in Google Sheets
• Google Docs Automation
How to Use Smartsheet Even If You’re Just Getting Started
Whether you're a freelancer juggling client tasks, a student organizing a capstone project, or a startup founder mapping out your launch timeline, Smartsheet can help you get started with organizing your project so that you can work smarter, not harder.
1. Sign Up and Explore the Dashboard
Getting started with Smartsheet is simple. Visit smartsheet.com and sign up for a free trial. Once inside, you'll land on your Home dashboard. In this central place, you can:
View your sheets
Access templates
Create reports or dashboards
Organize workspaces by project or department.
This clean interface makes it easy for solopreneurs and early-stage teams to visually structure their work without requiring extra onboarding time.
2. Start With a Template or Create a Blank Sheet
Smartsheet offers dozens of ready-to-use templates. Just search for one that fits your workflow:
Marketing Calendar
Project Tracker
Student Research Timeline
Task List with Priority
For bootstrapped startups and student-led teams, these templates are a time-saver, giving you structure while still being fully customizable. You can also choose to create a blank Grid View SmartSheet’s spreadsheet-style layout and build from scratch.
3. Enter Your Data and Define Columns
In your new sheet:
Add task names, owners, deadlines, and status columns
Customize columns (dropdowns, checkboxes, dates, symbols)
Attach files and add row-level comments for collaboration. Smartsheet makes it easy to assign responsibilities and track progress all in one place, perfect for lean teams who need accountability without micromanagement.
4. Switch Views (Grid, Gantt, Card, Calendar)
One of the best features of Smartsheet is how your data automatically adapts to different visual formats:
Gantt View
Great for timelines and dependencies
Card View
Ideal for agile-style workflows
Calendar View
Perfect for event planning or academic deadlines. These dynamic views help students, freelancers, and founders manage their work in a way that fits their brains, without recreating the data.
5. Automate Repetitive Tasks
Click Automation Create Workflow to set up smart rules like:
“If the task is marked ‘Complete,’ send an update to the team lead.”
“If the due date is today, send a reminder to the assignee.”
This is where Smartsheet truly saves time. Instead of manually nudging team members or updating columns, let automation handle it. It's a massive win for busy solo operators and growing teams.
6. Share, Collaborate, and Build Dashboards
You can invite others with controlled access:
Editor (can update rows)
Viewer (can only see)
Admin (full access) Build real-time dashboards to:
Show KPIs
Track campaign progress
Monitor student group projects. This is incredibly useful for small business teams reporting to clients or student groups working under a supervisor.
Let’s Talk About Numerous AI
Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, E-Commerce businesses, and more to automate tasks many times over through AI, such as writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more functions by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet.
With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for spreadsheets tool.
Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool
Numerous.ai is an intelligent tool that helps marketers automate tasks that involve data in spreadsheets. With its advanced AI capabilities, Numerous.ai can write SEO blog posts, generate hashtags, categorize products with sentiment analysis, and much more. You simply prompt the tool with a sentence or question, and it returns a Google Sheets function, complex or straightforward, in seconds. It’s like having an expert on call 24/7.
The capabilities of Numerous.ai are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. You can get started today with Numerous.ai to make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Use Numerous AI’s spreadsheet AI tool to make decisions and complete tasks at scale.
Related Reading
• Excel Alternatives
• Best Add-ons for Google Docs
• Best Add-ons for Google Sheets
• Google Sheets Alternatives
• Smartsheet Alternatives
• Smartsheet vs Excel
Consider you've been given a project that requires you to gather, track, and analyze data from multiple sources. You quickly realize that Google Sheets just won't cut it. While it's a handy tool for organizing and analyzing data, it lacks the features and functionality to help you manage complex projects. Enter Smartsheet.
This platform is similar to Google Sheets in that it uses a spreadsheet-like interface. But it also offers so much more in terms of project collaboration, automation, visualization, and integration with other tools. In this guide Google Sheets hacks, we'll answer the question, "What is Smartsheet?" and help you determine if it’s the right tool for your next project.
A Smartsheet alternative that can also help you achieve your project goals is the Spreadsheet AI Tool from numerous. This tool uses artificial intelligence to help you unlock the full potential of your spreadsheets so that you can work faster and smarter.
Table of Content
What Is Smartsheet?
At its core, Smartsheet looks like a spreadsheet. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, the interface will feel familiar. But under the surface, it’s far more powerful. It’s built specifically for project management, tracking tasks, assigning responsibilities, collecting data, and automating workflows without requiring code.
The Origin and Evolution of Smartsheet
Smartsheet was launched in 2006 as a more straightforward and flexible way to manage work. Over time, it has evolved into a robust enterprise-grade platform trusted by companies like Netflix, Cisco, Pfizer, and Google.
It was designed to solve one big problem:
Most work lives in scattered spreadsheets, email threads, and disconnected tools. Smartsheet brings all of that together in one living workspace where your data, people, updates, tasks, and files all live in context.
How Is Smartsheet Different from Excel or Google Sheets?
While Smartsheet’s interface is spreadsheet-style, its function is project-based. That means it includes features you won’t find in Excel, such as:
Built-in task assignments
Automated workflows (like reminders, updates, and alerts)
Project views like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars
Permissions and collaboration tools for teams
Forms to collect data directly into your sheet
Real-time dashboards to visualize project metrics
In short, it’s not just about managing cells and formulas; it’s about managing work.
What Can You Do With Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is incredibly versatile. Here are just a few things users do every day:
Manage projects
Break work into tasks, set deadlines, assign team members, and track progress in Gantt or card views.
Automate processes
Set up workflows to move tasks, send notifications, or trigger approvals.
Track data live
Whether it’s inventory, budget, or campaign assets, Smartsheet lets you monitor everything in real time.
Collect structured info
Use forms to collect data that feeds directly into sheets, perfect for surveys, requests, or incident reports.
Create dashboards
Build executive-level reports with charts, KPIs, and status updates that update automatically.
This flexibility is why teams in marketing, HR, operations, IT, construction, education, and many more industries all use Smartsheet.
Who Is It For?
Smartsheet works well for:
Teams that use spreadsheets but want more structure
Project managers who need accountability and visibility
Organizations that juggle complex workflows or approvals
Freelancers and consultants managing client deliverables and reporting
Enterprises that need scalable work execution platforms
Whether you're a team of 3 or a company of 3,000, Smartsheet adapts to the way you work — and helps you work better.
Related Reading
• Google Docs Hacks
• Best AI Tools for Data Analysis
• Can ChatGPT Analyze Excel Data
• How to Use AI in Google Docs
• How to Analyze Data in Google Sheets
7 Powerful Benefits of Using Smartsheet
1. Smartsheet: Like a Spreadsheet, Only Better
One of Smartsheet's biggest strengths is its spreadsheet-like interface. Users who are already comfortable with Excel or Google Sheets can get started quickly. But unlike a static spreadsheet, Smartsheet allows you to:
Assign tasks to people
Attach files and comments to rows
Set deadlines and reminders
View the same data as a Gantt chart, calendar, card view, or grid
Why it matters
You get the ease of spreadsheets with the structure and power of project management software, with no steep learning curve required.
2. Real-Time Collaboration and Communication
Smartsheet eliminates the messy back-and-forth of emails and scattered files.
With Smartsheet
Multiple team members can edit the same sheet at once
You can leave comments on specific rows or cells
Version history keeps a log of all changes
Notifications alert team members when they’re assigned or tagged
Why it matters
Everyone stays on the same page, and conversations happen exactly where the work is being done, not in your inbox.
3. Powerful Automation Without Code
Smartsheet’s built-in automation engine allows you to automate repetitive workflows using simple rules:
When a row is updated → notify someone
When a status changes, → move the row to another sheet
When a form is submitted → assign a task
You can even build multi-step logic for approvals, escalations, and status changes.
Why it matters
Automation saves time, reduces errors, and keeps work flowing without manual intervention, and you don’t need to know a single line of code.
4. Customizable Dashboards and Reports
Smartsheet makes it easy to visualize your data and share it with stakeholders:
Create dashboards with charts, KPIs, progress bars, and custom widgets
Generate cross-sheet reports that update in real time
Share dashboards as read-only views or public links
Why it matters
Executives and project leads can get instant visibility into project status, blockers, and metrics, without waiting for manual reports.
5. Templates That Accelerate Setup
Not sure where to start? Smartsheet offers hundreds of professionally designed templates, including:
Project trackers
Marketing calendars
Budget spreadsheets
Product roadmaps
Employee onboarding checklists
You can also save your sheets as templates.
Why it matters
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Smartsheet helps you get started fast and standardize your processes across teams.
6. Secure, Scalable, and Enterprise-Ready
Smartsheet is built for both small teams and large enterprises. It offers:
Role-based permissions and sheet-level access controls
Integration with identity providers (SSO, Okta, etc.)
Audit trails and activity logs
Data loss prevention (DLP) and governance tools
Why it matters
Whether you’re a startup or a global corporation, Smartsheet ensures your data is safe, controlled, and compliant.
7. Deep Integrations with Your Existing Tools
Smartsheet connects with tools your team already uses, including:
Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Google Workspace (Sheets, Gmail, Drive)
Slack, Jira, Salesforce, DocuSign, Box, and more
Zapier and Power Automate for custom workflows
Why it matters
Instead of switching platforms or creating silos, Smartsheet seamlessly integrates into your current tech stack, helping you do more with less friction.
Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool
Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, E-Commerce businesses, and more to automate tasks many times over through AI, such as writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more functions by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet.
With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for spreadsheets tool.
Related Reading
• How to Automate Excel
• Google Docs AI Scraping
• Google Sheets Data Visualization
• How to Auto Fill in Google Sheets
• How to Auto Sum in Google Sheets
• Google Docs Automation
How to Use Smartsheet Even If You’re Just Getting Started
Whether you're a freelancer juggling client tasks, a student organizing a capstone project, or a startup founder mapping out your launch timeline, Smartsheet can help you get started with organizing your project so that you can work smarter, not harder.
1. Sign Up and Explore the Dashboard
Getting started with Smartsheet is simple. Visit smartsheet.com and sign up for a free trial. Once inside, you'll land on your Home dashboard. In this central place, you can:
View your sheets
Access templates
Create reports or dashboards
Organize workspaces by project or department.
This clean interface makes it easy for solopreneurs and early-stage teams to visually structure their work without requiring extra onboarding time.
2. Start With a Template or Create a Blank Sheet
Smartsheet offers dozens of ready-to-use templates. Just search for one that fits your workflow:
Marketing Calendar
Project Tracker
Student Research Timeline
Task List with Priority
For bootstrapped startups and student-led teams, these templates are a time-saver, giving you structure while still being fully customizable. You can also choose to create a blank Grid View SmartSheet’s spreadsheet-style layout and build from scratch.
3. Enter Your Data and Define Columns
In your new sheet:
Add task names, owners, deadlines, and status columns
Customize columns (dropdowns, checkboxes, dates, symbols)
Attach files and add row-level comments for collaboration. Smartsheet makes it easy to assign responsibilities and track progress all in one place, perfect for lean teams who need accountability without micromanagement.
4. Switch Views (Grid, Gantt, Card, Calendar)
One of the best features of Smartsheet is how your data automatically adapts to different visual formats:
Gantt View
Great for timelines and dependencies
Card View
Ideal for agile-style workflows
Calendar View
Perfect for event planning or academic deadlines. These dynamic views help students, freelancers, and founders manage their work in a way that fits their brains, without recreating the data.
5. Automate Repetitive Tasks
Click Automation Create Workflow to set up smart rules like:
“If the task is marked ‘Complete,’ send an update to the team lead.”
“If the due date is today, send a reminder to the assignee.”
This is where Smartsheet truly saves time. Instead of manually nudging team members or updating columns, let automation handle it. It's a massive win for busy solo operators and growing teams.
6. Share, Collaborate, and Build Dashboards
You can invite others with controlled access:
Editor (can update rows)
Viewer (can only see)
Admin (full access) Build real-time dashboards to:
Show KPIs
Track campaign progress
Monitor student group projects. This is incredibly useful for small business teams reporting to clients or student groups working under a supervisor.
Let’s Talk About Numerous AI
Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, E-Commerce businesses, and more to automate tasks many times over through AI, such as writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more functions by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet.
With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for spreadsheets tool.
Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool
Numerous.ai is an intelligent tool that helps marketers automate tasks that involve data in spreadsheets. With its advanced AI capabilities, Numerous.ai can write SEO blog posts, generate hashtags, categorize products with sentiment analysis, and much more. You simply prompt the tool with a sentence or question, and it returns a Google Sheets function, complex or straightforward, in seconds. It’s like having an expert on call 24/7.
The capabilities of Numerous.ai are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. You can get started today with Numerous.ai to make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Use Numerous AI’s spreadsheet AI tool to make decisions and complete tasks at scale.
Related Reading
• Excel Alternatives
• Best Add-ons for Google Docs
• Best Add-ons for Google Sheets
• Google Sheets Alternatives
• Smartsheet Alternatives
• Smartsheet vs Excel
Consider you've been given a project that requires you to gather, track, and analyze data from multiple sources. You quickly realize that Google Sheets just won't cut it. While it's a handy tool for organizing and analyzing data, it lacks the features and functionality to help you manage complex projects. Enter Smartsheet.
This platform is similar to Google Sheets in that it uses a spreadsheet-like interface. But it also offers so much more in terms of project collaboration, automation, visualization, and integration with other tools. In this guide Google Sheets hacks, we'll answer the question, "What is Smartsheet?" and help you determine if it’s the right tool for your next project.
A Smartsheet alternative that can also help you achieve your project goals is the Spreadsheet AI Tool from numerous. This tool uses artificial intelligence to help you unlock the full potential of your spreadsheets so that you can work faster and smarter.
Table of Content
What Is Smartsheet?
At its core, Smartsheet looks like a spreadsheet. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, the interface will feel familiar. But under the surface, it’s far more powerful. It’s built specifically for project management, tracking tasks, assigning responsibilities, collecting data, and automating workflows without requiring code.
The Origin and Evolution of Smartsheet
Smartsheet was launched in 2006 as a more straightforward and flexible way to manage work. Over time, it has evolved into a robust enterprise-grade platform trusted by companies like Netflix, Cisco, Pfizer, and Google.
It was designed to solve one big problem:
Most work lives in scattered spreadsheets, email threads, and disconnected tools. Smartsheet brings all of that together in one living workspace where your data, people, updates, tasks, and files all live in context.
How Is Smartsheet Different from Excel or Google Sheets?
While Smartsheet’s interface is spreadsheet-style, its function is project-based. That means it includes features you won’t find in Excel, such as:
Built-in task assignments
Automated workflows (like reminders, updates, and alerts)
Project views like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars
Permissions and collaboration tools for teams
Forms to collect data directly into your sheet
Real-time dashboards to visualize project metrics
In short, it’s not just about managing cells and formulas; it’s about managing work.
What Can You Do With Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is incredibly versatile. Here are just a few things users do every day:
Manage projects
Break work into tasks, set deadlines, assign team members, and track progress in Gantt or card views.
Automate processes
Set up workflows to move tasks, send notifications, or trigger approvals.
Track data live
Whether it’s inventory, budget, or campaign assets, Smartsheet lets you monitor everything in real time.
Collect structured info
Use forms to collect data that feeds directly into sheets, perfect for surveys, requests, or incident reports.
Create dashboards
Build executive-level reports with charts, KPIs, and status updates that update automatically.
This flexibility is why teams in marketing, HR, operations, IT, construction, education, and many more industries all use Smartsheet.
Who Is It For?
Smartsheet works well for:
Teams that use spreadsheets but want more structure
Project managers who need accountability and visibility
Organizations that juggle complex workflows or approvals
Freelancers and consultants managing client deliverables and reporting
Enterprises that need scalable work execution platforms
Whether you're a team of 3 or a company of 3,000, Smartsheet adapts to the way you work — and helps you work better.
Related Reading
• Google Docs Hacks
• Best AI Tools for Data Analysis
• Can ChatGPT Analyze Excel Data
• How to Use AI in Google Docs
• How to Analyze Data in Google Sheets
7 Powerful Benefits of Using Smartsheet
1. Smartsheet: Like a Spreadsheet, Only Better
One of Smartsheet's biggest strengths is its spreadsheet-like interface. Users who are already comfortable with Excel or Google Sheets can get started quickly. But unlike a static spreadsheet, Smartsheet allows you to:
Assign tasks to people
Attach files and comments to rows
Set deadlines and reminders
View the same data as a Gantt chart, calendar, card view, or grid
Why it matters
You get the ease of spreadsheets with the structure and power of project management software, with no steep learning curve required.
2. Real-Time Collaboration and Communication
Smartsheet eliminates the messy back-and-forth of emails and scattered files.
With Smartsheet
Multiple team members can edit the same sheet at once
You can leave comments on specific rows or cells
Version history keeps a log of all changes
Notifications alert team members when they’re assigned or tagged
Why it matters
Everyone stays on the same page, and conversations happen exactly where the work is being done, not in your inbox.
3. Powerful Automation Without Code
Smartsheet’s built-in automation engine allows you to automate repetitive workflows using simple rules:
When a row is updated → notify someone
When a status changes, → move the row to another sheet
When a form is submitted → assign a task
You can even build multi-step logic for approvals, escalations, and status changes.
Why it matters
Automation saves time, reduces errors, and keeps work flowing without manual intervention, and you don’t need to know a single line of code.
4. Customizable Dashboards and Reports
Smartsheet makes it easy to visualize your data and share it with stakeholders:
Create dashboards with charts, KPIs, progress bars, and custom widgets
Generate cross-sheet reports that update in real time
Share dashboards as read-only views or public links
Why it matters
Executives and project leads can get instant visibility into project status, blockers, and metrics, without waiting for manual reports.
5. Templates That Accelerate Setup
Not sure where to start? Smartsheet offers hundreds of professionally designed templates, including:
Project trackers
Marketing calendars
Budget spreadsheets
Product roadmaps
Employee onboarding checklists
You can also save your sheets as templates.
Why it matters
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Smartsheet helps you get started fast and standardize your processes across teams.
6. Secure, Scalable, and Enterprise-Ready
Smartsheet is built for both small teams and large enterprises. It offers:
Role-based permissions and sheet-level access controls
Integration with identity providers (SSO, Okta, etc.)
Audit trails and activity logs
Data loss prevention (DLP) and governance tools
Why it matters
Whether you’re a startup or a global corporation, Smartsheet ensures your data is safe, controlled, and compliant.
7. Deep Integrations with Your Existing Tools
Smartsheet connects with tools your team already uses, including:
Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Google Workspace (Sheets, Gmail, Drive)
Slack, Jira, Salesforce, DocuSign, Box, and more
Zapier and Power Automate for custom workflows
Why it matters
Instead of switching platforms or creating silos, Smartsheet seamlessly integrates into your current tech stack, helping you do more with less friction.
Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool
Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, E-Commerce businesses, and more to automate tasks many times over through AI, such as writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more functions by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet.
With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for spreadsheets tool.
Related Reading
• How to Automate Excel
• Google Docs AI Scraping
• Google Sheets Data Visualization
• How to Auto Fill in Google Sheets
• How to Auto Sum in Google Sheets
• Google Docs Automation
How to Use Smartsheet Even If You’re Just Getting Started
Whether you're a freelancer juggling client tasks, a student organizing a capstone project, or a startup founder mapping out your launch timeline, Smartsheet can help you get started with organizing your project so that you can work smarter, not harder.
1. Sign Up and Explore the Dashboard
Getting started with Smartsheet is simple. Visit smartsheet.com and sign up for a free trial. Once inside, you'll land on your Home dashboard. In this central place, you can:
View your sheets
Access templates
Create reports or dashboards
Organize workspaces by project or department.
This clean interface makes it easy for solopreneurs and early-stage teams to visually structure their work without requiring extra onboarding time.
2. Start With a Template or Create a Blank Sheet
Smartsheet offers dozens of ready-to-use templates. Just search for one that fits your workflow:
Marketing Calendar
Project Tracker
Student Research Timeline
Task List with Priority
For bootstrapped startups and student-led teams, these templates are a time-saver, giving you structure while still being fully customizable. You can also choose to create a blank Grid View SmartSheet’s spreadsheet-style layout and build from scratch.
3. Enter Your Data and Define Columns
In your new sheet:
Add task names, owners, deadlines, and status columns
Customize columns (dropdowns, checkboxes, dates, symbols)
Attach files and add row-level comments for collaboration. Smartsheet makes it easy to assign responsibilities and track progress all in one place, perfect for lean teams who need accountability without micromanagement.
4. Switch Views (Grid, Gantt, Card, Calendar)
One of the best features of Smartsheet is how your data automatically adapts to different visual formats:
Gantt View
Great for timelines and dependencies
Card View
Ideal for agile-style workflows
Calendar View
Perfect for event planning or academic deadlines. These dynamic views help students, freelancers, and founders manage their work in a way that fits their brains, without recreating the data.
5. Automate Repetitive Tasks
Click Automation Create Workflow to set up smart rules like:
“If the task is marked ‘Complete,’ send an update to the team lead.”
“If the due date is today, send a reminder to the assignee.”
This is where Smartsheet truly saves time. Instead of manually nudging team members or updating columns, let automation handle it. It's a massive win for busy solo operators and growing teams.
6. Share, Collaborate, and Build Dashboards
You can invite others with controlled access:
Editor (can update rows)
Viewer (can only see)
Admin (full access) Build real-time dashboards to:
Show KPIs
Track campaign progress
Monitor student group projects. This is incredibly useful for small business teams reporting to clients or student groups working under a supervisor.
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© 2025 Numerous. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Numerous. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Numerous. All rights reserved.