Introduction to Shared Google Sheets

The MT-WY Connect project is based on Google Sheets. This section explains the project.

Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a spreadsheet program. If you are acquainted with Google Sheets already, or with Microsoft Excel, you understand what a spreadsheet program is. If not, briefly, a spreadsheet program in this context is a program that allows information to be kept in table form and processed through various formulas, programmed functions (often called scripts), and other programs. An individual spreadsheet may include a number of separate sheets, represented in tabs in the containing spreadsheet.

The current hardcopy address book has been for many years kept in the form of an Excel spreadsheet that has been updated once a year, printed in booklet form, and distributed to the workers. The reason for using Google Sheets for the online companion for the hardcopy address book is that a spreadsheet constructed with Google Sheets can be shared with any person (i.e., each member of the MT-WY staff) who has a Google account. Changes made to the spreadsheet will automatically show for all those sharing that spreadsheet.

How it Works

Here's how our project works with Google Sheets.

• Master spreadsheets have been created that contain all (and a bit more) of the family and worker contact information that has appeared in prior versions of the hardcopy address book.
• By way of formulas and programmed functions, changes made to the master spreadsheets are automatically propagated to separate spreadsheets that include various helpful views of the family and worker contact information in individual sheets (tabs) in the shared spreadsheets.
• Those separate spreadsheets with are shared with all of the staff.
• As edits are made to the master spreadsheets, those edits are automatically reflected in the spreadsheets shared with the staff, so the information in shared spreadsheets is as up to date as the edits are.