Google Docs Spreadsheets has a particular aspect which is not available for any other Google Docs apps — Gadgets. These are the components that you can include to your worksheets to almost do anything from create an organization chart, produce a QR code or create an animated chart, all of which are the tools that you can use in your small business. In this post I will present you that how you can use some of the best gadgets available for Google Docs spreadsheets.

QR Code Generator

The QR Code Gadget has the ability to convert text from a worksheet into a QR code that you can use on your website, for in instance. Get start by typing the content for the QR code in few adjacent cells. Suppose, if you like text to be formatted, put it in a series of cells down a column, now you will find that the QR code generator added a new line and a comma at the end of each cell’s contents.

Figure 1: Create a QR code from data in a worksheet using the QR Code Gadget.

Select Insert > Gadget > Web Gadgets > QR Code Gadget > Add to Spreadsheet. When prompted, choose the cells holding the data and click on Apply and Close button respectively. The QR code will be created automatically. Find and Click the menu in the top left corner of the gadget window.

Here you will find options including editing and publishing the code. After publishing, it will provide you the desired code that you can use to embed in your Web page or blog.

Organization Chart Gadget

You can use the Organization Chart gadget to build organization charts in your spreadsheets. For this Google ask you to supply data in two columns. The first column has second-level entry, such as the subordinate and the second column contain higher-level entry, such as the manager’s name.

Figure 2: Use the Organization Chart to create all sorts of hierarchical charts.

When you successfully complete above task, now select Insert > Gadget > Diagrams > Organization Chart and click Add to Spreadsheet. Choose from two columns of data as the range and select OK button. Here you need to assign the chart a title and then click Apply & Close.

For all the gadgets, you can use the menu in the top-left to handle and update the gadget as per your requirement.

Animated a Chart

Motion Chart gadget can help you to create an animated chart.

Figure 3: The Motion Chart gadget lets you create a chart that can be played to show change over time.

While using gadget, select Insert > Gadgets > Charts > Motion Chart. Now choose the range, which carry all the data including headings. Give a title to chart and click Apply & Close.

Select Unique Colors from the Color dropdown list.

Google Maps

Use the Google Maps Gadget to add interactive maps to your spreadsheets. It is the best way to create maps that show plotted data. You just need to give a list of addresses to plot on the map.

Smarter Tables

The Table Gadget provides you the tools to edit and organize data according to your concerned categories.

Figure 4: The Table gadget turns simple data into an interactive table allowing you to group and filter your data.

Choose Insert > Gadget > Tables > Table > Add to Spreadsheet. From the range field choose the table including headings. Give a title, select Show Filters and Enable Grouping, and finally click on Apply and Close button.

Source: HelenBradley.com