Default to the Simplest Tool: Why I Start With Google Sheets

Read Articleadded Oct 1, 2025
Default to the Simplest Tool: Why I Start With Google Sheets

In a rapidly shifting startup, the author found that building custom tools was often wasted effort compared to spinning up a quick Google Sheet. By starting simple, they could discover the real scope and only invest in heavier solutions once requirements stabilized. They caution that spreadsheets aren’t always appropriate, but are ideal when scope is uncertain.

Key Points

  • Default to the simplest workable solution to learn the problem scope; iterate or replace later.
  • Rapidly changing business priorities make heavy upfront builds and tool evaluations wasteful.
  • Multiple custom projects (admin panel, tax quote MVP, CRM search) were superseded by Google Sheets.
  • Light planning helps, but true requirements emerge only during real work.
  • Spreadsheets have limits; use them when scope is uncertain, not as a permanent fix for everything.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment is largely in agreement with the article's core premise that spreadsheets, particularly Google Sheets, are excellent starting points and viable solutions for many problems, emphasizing agility and practicality over premature engineering. However, there is a strong undercurrent of caution and disagreement regarding their suitability for mission-critical, long-term, or highly complex data management, primarily due to issues of data integrity, scalability, and especially concerns about vendor lock-in and account access with Google services, indicating a nuanced agreement with significant caveats.

In Agreement

  • Spreadsheets are powerful, accessible authoring tools providing a database, UI, and data processing, understood by most non-coders and offering creative freedom.
  • They enable rapid prototyping, iteration, and quick feedback, allowing users to discover real requirements before committing to rigid custom software.
  • Google Sheets specifically offers superior real-time collaborative editing and can be extended with Apps Script for more complex functionalities.
  • Using simple tools like Sheets prevents premature optimization, saving time and avoiding the development of unused custom solutions ('YAGNI').
  • Spreadsheets are highly effective for personal administration, project management, and can even bootstrap entire businesses successfully.

Opposed

  • Spreadsheets are not true databases; they lack structured data, native SQL support, custom UI elements, and proper data integrity controls, making them fragile for mission-critical operations.
  • Over-reliance on cloud services like Google Sheets carries significant risks, including arbitrary account lockouts, poor customer support, data loss, and vendor lock-in, necessitating robust backup strategies or self-hosted alternatives.
  • Spreadsheets are prone to data corruption, formula errors, 'spreadsheet sprawl' with conflicting versions, and lack adequate version control compared to formal development tools.
  • Performance of Apps Script can be slow due to server roundtrips and inefficient cell access, and some users experience general slowness with Google Sheets.
  • Spreadsheets lack fine-grained access control and sophisticated workflow features needed for complex business processes.
Default to the Simplest Tool: Why I Start With Google Sheets