Google has announced significant speed improvements in Google Sheets calculations for both Chrome and Edge desktop users. This enhancement applies to all calculations, from simple SUM functions to complex queries, regardless of file size. Users can expect faster results when running formulas, creating pivot tables, using conditional formatting, and more.
The speed improvements are made possible by Google Sheets’ use of WasmGC technology for faster code execution. This new web technology, an extension of web assembly, replaces JavaScript to enhance performance. Originally, Google Sheets calculations were server-side but transitioned to local/client-side in 2013 as part of Google’s effort to enable desktop web applications.
WasmGC is expected to revolutionize garbage collected languages on the web by bringing their speed close to native performance, similar to Wasm’s impact on C++ applications like Photoshop and Google Earth. Google believes that WasmGC has the potential to make a greater impact due to the widespread use of languages with garbage collection features.
These speed improvements are currently available for Google Sheets users on Chrome and Edge and will be extended to non-Chromium browsers like Safari and Firefox in the future. The feature is accessible to all Google Workspace and personal users.
Google plans to continue optimizing Google Sheets by reducing initial loading times, improving copy/paste and filter performance, and focusing on smooth scrolling and expanded cell boundaries. These efforts aim to enhance the overall user experience in Google Sheets.
In conclusion, Google has introduced significant speed improvements in Google Sheets calculations using WasmGC technology for faster code execution on Chrome and Edge browsers. This enhancement benefits users performing any type of calculation in Google Sheets, from simple functions to complex queries. Additionally, Google is working on further optimizations to enhance the performance of Google Sheets, such as reducing loading times and improving copy/paste and filtering capabilities. These improvements aim to make Google Sheets more efficient and user-friendly for all users.
Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/06/26/google-sheets-calculation-speed/