Datarails launches Google Sheets integration for finance

Datarails has launched a native integration with Google Sheets, expanding the finance software provider beyond its established use in Excel.

The integration lets finance teams use Datarails data and functions directly in Google Sheets while maintaining a central, governed data layer across reporting, planning and analysis.

Datarails, which develops software for the Chief Financial Officer's office, is targeting organisations that have standardised on Google Workspace and do not want finance staff to move to another spreadsheet environment. The company built its business around finance teams working in Excel, and the latest release extends that model to Google's spreadsheet product.

Within Google Sheets, users can build financial documents with Datarails formulas through a dedicated formula panel for functions and conditions. Teams can also create Datarails tables and reports, add custom columns that remain in place after data refreshes, and apply global filters to control which data appears in a given sheet.

Figures remain live as underlying data changes. Users can also drill into any cell, including one that references a Datarails number, to view the records behind it without leaving the sheet.

The integration also uses Google Sheets features including real-time co-editing, presence and commenting. Multiple users can work in the same connected workbook at the same time, with the option to export a view as static values when a fixed snapshot is needed.

Single data layer

The launch reflects a broader push by software providers to fit into existing workplace tools rather than require finance teams to adopt a separate interface. In finance, spreadsheets remain deeply embedded in budgeting, forecasting, close processes and management reporting.

Datarails said its approach is to provide a single source of truth whether a team works in Excel or Google Sheets. That is particularly relevant for companies where finance must work across departments that use different software standards.

"Most finance teams face a challenge of scattered spreadsheets reflecting several versions of the truth," said Didi Gurfinkel, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Datarails.

"The tool may vary: whether it is Excel, or Google Sheets, Powerpoint and LLMs. What doesn't change is that finance teams need a trusted data layer ensuring every AI output is accurate, governed, repeatable and auditable. With Datarails now supporting Google Sheets for finance, they now have the confidence of FinanceOS behind every output," Gurfinkel said.

The company positions its software around the idea that financial and operational data should sit in a controlled layer that can feed reports and analysis across different tools. By adding Google Sheets support, Datarails is seeking to widen its addressable market among businesses that rely on Google Workspace rather than Microsoft's productivity suite.

That matters because finance software vendors have historically aligned closely with Excel, which remains dominant in many finance teams. A native Google Sheets integration offers an alternative route into companies that have standardised on Google software for collaboration and document management.

Spreadsheet rivalry

The release also highlights the continuing competition between Excel and Google Sheets in workplace software. While Excel has long held a strong position in finance, Google Sheets has gained traction among businesses that prefer browser-based collaboration and shared documents.

Datarails said it is not trying to push users towards one spreadsheet over the other. Instead, the aim is to keep financial data governed and consistent regardless of which spreadsheet application a team uses.

"We're not here to pick sides between Excel and Google Sheets," said Gurfinkel.

"We just want to make sure finance has the same trusted, governed data no matter which spreadsheet any finance team uses," he said.

Native support for Google Sheets is now available to Datarails customers.