Spreadsheet Based Workflows vs Low Code Platforms

Developers should learn spreadsheet based workflows when dealing with business automation, data manipulation, or rapid prototyping in environments where non-technical stakeholders rely on spreadsheets meets developers should learn low code platforms to accelerate prototyping, automate repetitive tasks, and enable collaboration with business stakeholders who lack coding expertise. Here's our take.

Spreadsheet Based Workflows

Nice Pick

Developers should learn spreadsheet based workflows when dealing with business automation, data manipulation, or rapid prototyping in environments where non-technical stakeholders rely on spreadsheets

Pros

• It is particularly useful for creating lightweight solutions without full-scale software development, such as automating financial reports, managing inventory, or building simple dashboards
• Related to: excel-macros, google-apps-script

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Low Code Platforms

Developers should learn low code platforms to accelerate prototyping, automate repetitive tasks, and enable collaboration with business stakeholders who lack coding expertise

Pros

• They are particularly useful for building internal tools, business process applications, and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) where speed and agility are prioritized over custom code
• Related to: business-process-automation, drag-and-drop-interfaces

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Spreadsheet Based Workflows is a methodology while Low Code Platforms is a platform. We picked Spreadsheet Based Workflows based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Spreadsheet Based Workflows wins

Based on overall popularity. Spreadsheet Based Workflows is more widely used, but Low Code Platforms excels in its own space.