MiniSheetMiniSheet guide
Everything you need to start.
A practical guide to workbooks, formulas, files, and keeping your browser data safe.
01 / The basics
Getting started
MiniSheet opens with a workbook and a grid. Select a cell, type a value or formula, and press Enter. Use the sheet tabs below the grid to add or switch sheets. The formula bar shows and edits the selected cell's contents.
- Start with the grid. Click a cell and type text, a number, or a formula beginning with
=. - Bring an existing table. Choose Open to import a CSV or XLSX file.
- Keep a copy. Choose the export menu to download the current sheet as CSV or XLSX.
02 / Calculations
Formulas
Begin a formula with =. MiniSheet supports cell references, ranges, and references to other sheets. Formula suggestions and function signatures appear while you type.
=A1+B1
=SUM(B2:B20)
=IF(C2>100, "Over budget", "On track")
=Sheet2!A1*2Supported built-ins include SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT, COUNTA, IF, AND, OR, NOT, ABS, ROUND, LEN, LOWER, UPPER, TRIM, and CONCAT. MiniSheet recalculates dependent cells after an edit and shows spreadsheet-style errors for unsupported expressions or circular references.
03 / Tables
Working with data
CSV and XLSX imports become MiniSheet sheets. Imported table rows are kept in DuckDB and loaded into the grid a page at a time. Use the Data controls to filter or sort a column without pulling a whole large table into the page.
XLSX import treats the file as tabular data. Excel styling, macros, merged cells, comments, and workbook objects are not preserved. Supported imported formulas become editable MiniSheet formulas; Excel-only syntax may show a formula error.
04 / Editing
Formatting and history
Use the toolbar for number formats, bold, italic, underline, wrapping, and alignment. Column widths and row heights stay with the workbook. Undo and redo restore edits and formatting changes.
| Action | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Edit a cell | Select it, type, then press Enter |
| Edit a formula | Cell editor or formula bar |
| Format cells | Toolbar above the grid |
| Undo or redo | Toolbar buttons, or standard keyboard shortcuts outside text inputs |
| Filter or sort | Data controls for an imported sheet |
05 / Your files
Files and backups
Choose Open to import a CSV or XLSX file. The export menu downloads the active sheet as CSV or XLSX. In the browser app, the same menu also offers Download full workbook backup and Restore full workbook backup.
The full backup is a DuckDB database file that preserves MiniSheet workbooks and their imported data. Restoring a backup replaces the workbooks currently stored for that browser site, so download a current backup before restoring an older one.
06 / Local workbooks
How browser storage works
The browser app is static and has no workbook backend. It loads its code over the network, then keeps workbook reads and writes in storage belonging to that browser profile and site origin. A workbook on one browser or device will not appear automatically on another.
Clearing site data, using private browsing, or browser storage eviction can remove workbooks. Keep a full workbook backup outside the browser, especially before clearing data or changing devices. Browser storage behavior and available capacity vary by browser.