GoKawiilTL;DR Google Sheets is rolling out a new Canvas feature that uses Gemini to turn boring spreadsheets into interactive ones.
Using the feature requires no prior coding or formula knowledge. Your canvas stays synced with the original Sheet, while letting you customize its layout, design, and functionality.
Google’s new flipped Sheets icon is also visible in the Canvas announcement images and GIFs.
What started out as a relatively simple spreadsheet web application 20 years ago has since transformed into one of the most used productivity tools out there. We’re talking about Google Sheets, which is now a lot more than just rows, columns, and formulas, and thanks to Gemini’s smarts, it’s about to become a lot more versatile.
The tech giant is rolling out a new Gemini-powered feature that can turn your Google Sheets spreadsheets into “custom, interactive mini-apps.” It’s called Sheets canvas, and it’s designed to help you turn raw data into something easier to interact with.
Sheets canvas is a prompt-based feature, so everything happens right within the Gemini side panel. And the best part is that you don’t need to know even the basics of coding or Google Sheets formulas — you simply describe what you want to create, and Gemini does the heavy lifting.
Google explains that at its core, Sheets canvas is a read-write layer that sits on top of your Sheets data. You tell your canvas what you want, and it builds an interactive experience by leveraging the data on your Sheet.
According to Google, here’s what makes the feature truly powerful: Updates are always synced between the canvas and the original Sheet in real time.
You can polish and refine your Sheets canvas after its initial creation. Changes can include edits to layout, design, functionality, and more.
Similar to a regular Google Sheet, your canvas can also be shared with anyone.
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