As we know, Google Sheets is an online tool for creating data sheets like Microsoft Excel. Although the main motive behind creating Google Sheets for developers is to make it available anywhere without installing, many users still want it on their Windows 11 alongside other applications instead of being buried in a browser tab.

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While Google doesn’t offer an official executable installer for Sheets, you can transform this powerful spreadsheet tool into what feels like a standalone desktop application with just a few clicks.

The same “Progressive Web App” method I am going to discuss here is implemented on my system so that I can easily access Google Sheets.

Let’s clarify something right away: technically speaking, you’re not “installing” Google Sheets in the traditional sense. What we’re actually doing is creating a Progressive Web App (PWA)—essentially a website that behaves like a dedicated application.

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But the Web App will give you the feeling of using a standalone app, which means you don’t need to open the browser again and again manually; instead, just click the Google Sheets Web App on your Windows 11 and start editing your files.

Think of it as giving Google Sheets its own special “” on your computer, having its dedicated spot on your windowsill (your desktop). That means the Sheets interface will be the same and working, but now it has its own space on your PC!

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This approach offers several advantages over always opening your browser first:

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Those who are using the Chrome browser offer a simple way to transform the supported websites, including Google Sheets, into an app that provides a desktop-like experience on Windows 11. Here’s how to install Google Sheets using Chrome:

Step 1: On your Windows 11, open the Chrome browser and visit sheets.google.com. Yes, we must do that because we need to be on the webpage that we want to use as a progressive web app on Windows.

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Step 2: Once the Google Sheet webpage is loaded, make sure you are logged in with your Google account. That is it. Now, click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the Chrome browser, navigate to the “Cast, Save, and Share” menu, click on it, and select the “Install page as app…” option.

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Step 3: A pop-up window will appear on the browser. Add whatever name you want to your web application; here, we are using “Google Sheets.” Once done, click the “Install“ button to configure Google Sheets as an app on your Windows 11.

That’s it! Now Google Sheets will appear in your Start menu and can be launched like any traditional Windows application. When you open it, you’ll notice it runs in its own window without the typical Chrome browser interface – no address bar, no tabs, just Google Sheets.

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The same process we have shown on Google Chrome can be done on Microsoft Edge with better control..

Step 1: So, if you prefer Microsoft’s Edge browser, then open it on your Windows 11 PC and just like we did earlier, navigate to sheets.google.com

Step 2: Afterward, you will find a horizontal three-dot menu on the Edge browser, which was vertical in Google Chrome. Click that, which is available in the top-right corner of the browser.

Step 3: Select Apps from the Edge browser menu and then the “Install this site as an app” option.

Step 4: A dialog will appear, allowing you to customize the name, add Google Sheets to it, and then click the Install button.

Step 5: Edge will ask for your permission to create shortcuts such as Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start Menu, and a desktop shortcut. Select the desired options, and Edge will automatically create both a desktop shortcut and a Start menu entry.

In my experience, Edge’s implementation feels slightly more integrated with Windows 11’s design language, which makes sense given that Microsoft develops both products.

After setting up Google Sheets this way, you’ll immediately notice several benefits of having the Google Sheets web app on Windows 11 instead of using it via a browser. Here are a few:

Now, the user will not have to go through the browser tabs or bookmarks to access Sheets! With Google Sheets installed as a desktop app, it’s just a click away from your Start menu, taskbar, or desktop – just like Word, Excel, or any other application you regularly use.

Focus is crucial when working with data. The desktop app approach eliminates browser-related distractions like notifications, other tabs competing for attention, and accidentally closing your work when clearing browser sessions.

It’s like having your dedicated workspace that’s all Sheets, all the time. I’ve found this particularly helpful when working with complex spreadsheets that require my full attention.

As we know, PWA is not a true native app like any other software installed on Windows 11. Hence, it typically uses fewer system resources than having Google Sheets open as one of many tabs in a full browser session. Your computer will thank you, especially when working with limited RAM.

Do you need to quickly reference data during a meeting? Having Google Sheets as a desktop app makes it feel more like a professional tool and less like “just a website” when sharing your screen during presentations.

It is also important to know the downside of this method before fully committing to this approach, be aware of these constraints:

Unlike Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets primarily requires an internet connection to function fully. While there is offline capability (more on that in a moment), it’s more limited than a true desktop spreadsheet application.

This isn’t a conventional software installation. The PWA is still running through your browser’s engine behind the scenes, just without the browser interface being visible.

Some deeper Windows functionality might be limited. For example, drag-and-drop operations from File Explorer don’t always work as seamlessly as they might with traditionally installed software.

One question I hear frequently is whether Google Sheets can work without an internet connection once it’s set up as a desktop app. The answer is yes, but with some preparation:

Open Google Chrome (this feature requires Chrome specifically)

Go to sheets.google.com

Click the burger menu icon in the top-right corner of the Google Sheets interface.

Select Settings from the menu option.

Find and enable the toggle option given for Offline access

Follow the prompts to complete the setup. Press the Ok button.

Once configured, your recent spreadsheets will be accessible even without internet connectivity. You can create new spreadsheets and edit existing ones, and all changes will sync automatically when you reconnect.

It’s worth noting that offline functionality has limitations—complex formulas, collaboration features, and add-ons typically require an active connection.

To truly integrate Google Sheets into your Windows 11 workflow, consider these additional tweaks, if not done by the browser automatically:

After installing Google Sheets as a desktop app:

Find the Google Sheets icon in your Start menu

Right-click on it

Select Pin to taskbar

Now Sheets is always just one click away, regardless of what you’re doing on your computer.

Windows 11’s Start menu lets you organize apps into groups:

Open the Start menu

Find Google Sheets in your app list

Drag it to the pinned section

Rearrange it among your most-used productivity apps

I keep Google Sheets alongside my other document tools for quick access – it saves me at least a dozen clicks daily.

Can I install Google Sheets without a browser?

No. Since Google Sheets functions as a Progressive Web App, you need either Chrome, Edge, or another modern browser that supports PWA installation to set it up initially. Once installed, it will appear to run independently, but a browser still works behind the scenes.

Is Google Sheets available in the Microsoft Store?

Google Sheets is not officially available in the Microsoft Store as a dedicated application. The methods described in this article are currently the best ways to create a desktop-like experience for Google Sheets on Windows 11.

How is this different from Excel on Windows 11?

While both are spreadsheet applications, Google Sheets, as a PWA, still runs through web technologies rather than being a native Windows application like Excel. Excel offers deeper Windows integration and more advanced features but requires purchasing Microsoft Office. Google Sheets is free and excels at collaboration but depends more heavily on internet connectivity.

Can I use keyboard shortcuts in the PWA version?

Yes! Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts work perfectly in the desktop app version. Common shortcuts like Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, and Ctrl+Z function as expected, along with Sheets-specific shortcuts like Alt+Shift+Y for inserting a new sheet.

Installing Google Sheets as a desktop app on Windows 11 bridges the gap between web and native applications. It’s a solution that gives you the best of both worlds: the collaborative power and automatic saving of Google’s cloud-based approach, with the convenience and accessibility of a desktop application.

The entire setup process takes less than a minute, costs nothing, and significantly simplifies accessing your spreadsheets. Whether you’re a casual user who occasionally needs spreadsheets or a data professional who uses them daily, this approach streamlines your workflow without sacrificing functionality.