Drive is not the only copy
Google Drive is the main home of the workbook. Sometimes you need a file on the computer disk — a USB, email to a teacher without internet, print. Or a PDF, so nobody changes a cell.
A download is a copy. The original on Drive stays. When you download and at home edit the .xlsx, Drive does not update itself. You must upload it back — or keep working online.
File → Download in Sheets. Formats: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), PDF, CSV (only one sheet). In Excel on a computer: File → Save as. We download from the cloud.
Download as Excel
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Open
Tables with Martin. -
Menu File → Download → Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
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The browser saves the file to Downloads. The name like the workbook.
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Open the downloaded file in Excel (if you have it). Sheets
Gradesandメモsare there.
At school without Excel you will not open the downloaded .xlsx. Then rather PDF or sharing a link.
Download as PDF
PDF is a “photo of the spreadsheet”. You cannot change a cell in it. It is good for handing in “view only”.
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File → Download → PDF.
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In the dialog leave Entire workbook or pick one sheet (for example
Grades). -
Download. Open the PDF — you see the grid like on the screen.
A PDF does not count. When you change a grade in Sheets, the PDF stays old. You must download a new one. The online workbook recalculates itself.
Backup = a second copy on Drive
Downloading to Downloads is one backup. Better is a copy on Drive, which you leave next to the original.
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Go to drive.google.com. Find the workbook.
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Right-click → Make a copy.
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Rename the copy:
Tables with Martin backup 2026-08. -
Leave the original open for the course. Open the backup when you want to risk a big experiment.
When to use what
| You need | Solution |
|---|---|
| Keep working online | Drive, no download |
| 送信 a teacher “do not change this” | PDF or Share view only |
| Open in Excel offline | Download .xlsx |
| A safety net before deleting | A copy on Drive |
🏫 Grade average
One sheet, two columns: subject and grade. At the bottom a sum and an average.💰 Pocket money
Rows = days, columns = income / spend / left.📊 Class survey
One question, answers in one column, later a chart.🏆 Mini dashboard
Three numbers at the top and one chart. Numbers as a link, not copied by hand.Now you 💪
With a parent or alone, if you have the rights:
- Download sheet
Gradesas a PDF (or the whole workbook). The file is in Downloads. - On Drive there is a copy of the workbook with the word
backupin the name — or you know you will make it before a big experiment. - You know that a downloaded Excel is not automatically linked to Drive.
- The original
Tables with Martinstill runs online.
Check: You can download a PDF or Excel and make a backup on Drive. You know which version is “live”.
What to take from this lesson
- Download = a copy off Drive. The original stays online.
- PDF is for print and handing in without edits.
- .xlsx opens in Excel. At school it may not be there.
- A copy on Drive is the simplest backup. 名前 it at once.
- The live version is the one on Drive, not the file in Downloads.
© 2026 Ing. Martin Polak / AlgoRhino · コンテンツ利用規約