Add-ons for Google Sheets
Google Spreadsheets, or Sheets, are online, collaborative, cloud-based version of a basic spreadsheet program. Google Drive has introduced Add-ons for Sheets, which are scripts or tools that increase the productivity of your spreadsheets. Not only do these make Sheets more competitive with other office products, such as Excel, but many are created specifically with educators in mind, and have immediate classroom applications. These are some of the best add-ons for education.
Flubaroo
Flubaroo is a fantastic add-on that grades Google Form responses. If you deliver an assessment using Google Forms, you administer that assessment to your students, take it yourself, choose the option to grade the quiz in the add-on, and choose your response set as the key. Flubaroo instantly grades your assessment, and emails your students with their grade and a list of the questions they missed!
Template Gallery
Template Gallery is available for both Docs and Sheets, and hosts a variety of templates you can use. Some of the options for spreadsheets include GPA calculators, invoices and attendance sheets.
Mapping Sheets
This add-on allows you to create maps instantly using information in a Google Spreadsheet. You can plot multiple points on one map, allowing students to better visualize areas of the world you are studying, places in the community, and so on.
Styles
Styles adds colors, styles and formatting to Google Spreadsheets that aren't available in the basic, default toolbar. This tool is great for graphic organizers, color-coding, or just because you like something pretty!
Doctopus
Doctopus is an excellent add-on created by an educator. This tool is designed to share, organize and manage classroom assignments. Teachers can send out assignments to their students on documents or spreadsheets, monitor usage, and give feedback.
More Fonts
Just as the name and icon imply, More Fonts adds 35 new font options to your spreadsheets, allowing you to customize and add flair to your sheets.
MAD
Massive Attachments Downloader, or MAD, allows you to download all of your email attachments to your hard drive.
autoCrat
This add-on allows you to merge documents and spreadsheets to individualize forms, such as worksheets, notes home to parents and feedback to students. Administrators can also use it for communications with staff, such as providing feedback for walk-through observations.
Split Names
Split Names allows you to separate data from one column into multiple columns, similar to the way you would use Text to Columns in Excel. This is a great feature when you need to do things like paste student names from one database, separate first and last name, and then export those names in a different database.
Merge Values
Merge Data lets you combine data from multiple columns while keeping the original columns intact. It works in a similar manner to the Concatenate function in Excel.
Random Generator
This add-on will randomly generate a list of passwords based on the strength and length requirements you specify. You can set up and keep track of passwords for web tools, devices like response clickers, or other logins.