Blog · 2026-10-16

Chrome Extension vs Google Sheets Add-on: Which Do You Need for Excel Shortcuts?

Excel calls them add-ins. Google has two different things. Here's the difference.

People switching from Excel often search for an "add-in for Google Sheets." Google has two kinds of tools, and for keyboard shortcuts the difference matters.

	Google Workspace add-on	Chrome extension
Where you get it	Workspace Marketplace (Extensions → Add-ons)	Chrome Web Store
Where it runs	Inside the file, in a menu or sidebar	In your browser, on the Sheets page
Works in any browser	Yes	Chrome and most Chromium browsers
Can catch keystrokes like Alt, E, S, V	Not really	Yes
Typical permissions	Access to the spreadsheet via Google APIs	Browser permissions on the Sheets site

For Excel shortcuts: a Chrome extension

Keyboard shortcuts need to catch your keys as you type, which is what Chrome extensions can do. That's why SheetSpeed, ShortieCuts, SheetWhiz, XLKeys and Spex are all Chrome extensions.

When an add-on makes sense

Sidebar tools that don't depend on the keyboard, such as data connectors, mail merge and some goal seek tools, work well as add-ons.

On a managed work laptop?

Your IT team may need to allowlist the extension. SheetSpeed's Chrome Web Store ID is ljlmgielacploapelnjhodicgbjipcaa. Core uses only the storage and activeTab permissions and no Google API sign-in, which tends to make IT review simpler.

See the options menu.

SheetSpeed is a free Chrome extension for Excel-style shortcuts and trace precedents in Google Sheets. We make it, so weigh our take accordingly.

Add SheetSpeed to Chrome (free)