I have tested using a CSV file from my computer, the open function gives the possibility to open current files or upload a file from your desktop. The upload is AJAX based so as soon as you select your file and click Open the upload process will began. A success message is displayed when the file is imported successfully. I had some problems with my satellite connection so the internet sometimes dropped and the upload didn't happen. In Gmail there is a feature to display an error message when there is a connection problem, but it looks like they didn't implement it in Google Spreadsheets.

I had some problems with the first CSV file, so I changed the delimiter from tabs to semi-colons and uploaded it again, unfortunately there was the same problem. The imported data didn't display correctly in the spreadsheet! The same document opens correctly in Excel, of course we are talking about a beta in its first release and I expected to see such file formatting issues.

CSV opened in Google Spreadsheet

CSV file opened in MS Excel

Other than that I liked the interface and how easy it is to play with cells, merge, align, copy, paste... and all the very basic functions! I didn't enter in details in formulas because the file I use for testing didn't want to open correctly, but there are many functions organized in categories : Math, Financial, Logical, Date, Lookup, Statistical, Text and Info.

Something interesting I noticed, because I have the Firebug add-on installed in Firefox, is the number of JavaScript errors... or maybe I should say the lack of errors... pretty impressive for a beta version, during the test there was only one JavaScript error... and it's not really an error because it was simply an invalid return "return false;"; otherwise Firebug was just displaying Post and Get AJAX requests.

Conclusion

In this test I have explored just the first basic features and have already found some bugs related specifically to file compatibility. This is what a beta is useful for, but at the same time, I was impressed by the quality of the application, the JavaScript, etc...

I was wondering if GWT was behind Googles decision to make Google Spreadsheets part of the lab and not make an acquisition of an established spreadsheet service like what they did with Writely? Has Google learned the key features behind making a successful Web 2.0 product?

Anyway, at this stage it's a little difficult to make a comparison with others online spreadsheets for the simple reason that every company is adopting its own business strategy; iRows, NumSum, ZohoSheet, JotSpot Tracker or wikiCalc. Google seems to have a transparent strategy which is to attract the most possible users online. So, if you are looking for an answer on how to monetize Google Spreadsheets, you may find an answer at Google... because I don't see where they can integrate any advertisement space?

Update : On the Google-Labs-Spreadsheets group they pointed me to the definition of CSV (Comma Separated Value), while I was using tabs and semi-coloumns ! Hum, I know the defintion but sinceraly I never use it ... I always confused CSV to ASV (Anything Separated Value) since it was always working !