Google Spreadsheets Goes Live

Google just posted a tour of Google Spreadsheets, their new Excel rival. They’re also inviting users to test the service on a first-come-first-served basis. It looks blissfully simple, and includes live chat, multi-user editing and import/export functionality. In short: an impressive product.

This is probably a mixed blessing for the online spreadsheet startups - while no-one wants to compete with Google, this move will likely lead to some acquisitions. Among the contenders: Numbler, JotSpot Tracker, NumSum, DabbleDB, TracksLife, ZohoSheet, EditGrid, WikiCalc and iRows. JotSpot is the hot-ticket here - between (unfounded?) acquisition rumors and a partnership with Salesforce, they’re getting a lot of ink.