I've used Google Sheets for a long time, but mostly for basic work and personal data management.

I thought it was too technical to set up a simple tracker for my output and to-do list, so I held on to other Google apps like Docs and Keep as long as I could.

However, as Google added more perks to Sheets, I realized how it has become an indispensable spreadsheet tool.

It is now a utilitarian app for everything from micromanaging expenses to building extensive task trackers.

Since then, I have discovered useful features inside Google Sheets that helped me delete other utility apps from my Android devices and Pixel phone.

Create QR codes

Scannable images right inside Sheets

Creating QR codes on Android is mostly done through third-party apps, but I don't like installing one to dodge shady ads and clutter.

It's the same story online, where you often have to avoid sketchy pop-ups hidden in adware to generate a basic code.

Google Sheets natively supports scannable QR code generation for links, contact details, and plain text.

This is especially handy when you want to create codes in bulk and drop the images into your documents.

To do this, you only need a simple formula paired with a free public API server. The formula is easy to copy, and the API requires no paid setup.

Inside Google Sheets, select the cell containing the URL or text you want to convert. For example, enter the Android Police URL into cell A2.

Copy this formula to the cell =IMAGE("https://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?size=150x150&data=" & ENCODEURL(A2))

Next, select the cell where you want the generated QR image to appear (for example, B2) and insert the formula linking to the API server.

You may need to grant access to the external data source, which is easiest to confirm on the desktop web version of Sheets.

When generated, the QR image automatically fits the cell dimensions, so adjust the row height and column width to make it larger.

You can also tweak the formula parameters to customize the image resolution and aspect ratio.

Turn Google Sheets into an RSS feed

Stop overpaying for premium news aggregators

Google Sheets is a lightweight RSS feed aggregator, which is great for tracking breaking news and new product releases.

It makes managing my feeds painless because the incoming data translates into raw, editable text cells, something standard RSS readers rarely allow.

There are no paywalls or device limits, which fixes my biggest frustration with my current standalone aggregator that demands subscriptions during peak hours.

Building an RSS feed in Sheets is straightforward using the built-in IMPORTFEED function.

All you need is the RSS feed URL of the website you want to track, like https://www.androidpolice.com/feed/ for Android Police.

Insert that link into the formula =IMPORTFEED(" URL", "items", TRUE, 10), where 10 represents the number of recent posts you want to fetch.

Place the formula into any empty cell, such as the top of column A, and it will immediately generate the 10 latest articles complete with headers for title, author, and publication date.

Translate text inside a spreadsheet

Convert an entire row or column in seconds

The built-in translation feature in Google Sheets works wonders when you need to convert entire rows or columns at once, such as imported news feeds generated in the first tip.

You no longer have to manually copy individual entries into a translation tab and paste the results back one by one.

Google Sheets handles the heavy lifting in the cells, saving a massive amount of time.

You can ask Gemini to translate specific cells or full tables.

Alternatively, you can run the standard =ARRAYFORMULA(IF(A2:A="", "", GOOGLETRANSLATE(A2:A, "auto", "en"))) formula manually in cell B2.

It instantly translates the source text from column A into English. You can swap target languages by tweaking the language code in the formula, such as "ja" for Japanese, "de" for German, or "fr" for French.

Build a live currency converter

Track dynamic exchange rates on the fly

When traveling, I run currency conversions on my Android phone to keep spending in check or decide whether I need to pick up another cup of matcha latte in a café.

Google Sheets offers a great alternative to flying between Chrome tabs or a calculator app while trying to memorize exchange rates.

Because Sheets pulls live exchange rates from the web, your conversions update dynamically whenever you are online or refresh the Sheet document.

It is faster than recalculating prices manually every time you need to check a receipt or price tag.

If you have Gemini for Workspace via a Google One plan, building this takes a short moment.

You can prompt Gemini to generate a dynamic conversion table for pairs like USD, EUR, and JPY, which takes about a minute.

From there, you can swap currencies or expand the table with extra rows to track multiple currencies simultaneously.

Organize your messy contacts

Purge duplicates and fix labels in bulk

If you have hundreds or more cluttered contacts on your phone, Google Sheets is one of the most effective tools for cleaning them up.

Because Sheets handles CSV files natively, you can export your address book from Google Contacts, download the file, and open it in Google Sheets.

Sheets gives you a snapshot or bird's-eye view of your address book, making it easier to spot duplicates, group entries, and correct missing information than a narrow list layout in Google Contacts.

You can batch-delete unwanted contacts across dozens of rows at once, which is faster than tapping through individual cards in the mobile app.

You can also restructure existing labels, assign new categories, and tidy up contact notes across your account.

After your cleanup is complete, export the sheet as a CSV file and import it into Google Contacts to sync the changes across your Android devices.

Turn sheets into a temporary phone book

Launch mobile numbers on your favorite apps

I try to avoid cluttering my contacts with temporary numbers, such as couriers or one-off business contacts I only reach out to once or twice a year.

I used to create a special label for them, but over time, the list grew so large that it became cluttered. Google Sheets is a smarter tool for managing these temporary entries.

Now, I keep a separate spreadsheet for them, and if I want to import them into my Google account later, I can do it in seconds. Most of the time, though, it serves as a dedicated container to keep my main contact list tidy.

I also take advantage of Sheets' hyperlink support. This allows me to tap a number on my phone and open it in a messaging app like WhatsApp or a phone dialer.

Insert =HYPERLINK("https://wa.me/)" & A2, "Chat on WhatsApp") into the target cell, where A2 is the cell containing the mobile number.

Delete those single-purpose utility apps already

These features prove that Google Sheets is more than a boring numbers tracker.

Sheets doubles as a utility suite on Android, replacing many of the single-purpose apps cluttering my phone.

More importantly, I've stopped paying for subscriptions for some of these tools that Google Sheets gives away for free.

All you need to do is take a few minutes to set up and test these spreadsheet hacks, and that's a minor trade-off I will always take.