Layer is a spreadsheet collaboration platform designed to enhance how teams work with Excel and Google Sheets. Built for professionals and organizations that rely heavily on spreadsheet-based workflows, Layer allows users to collaborate, control, and automate spreadsheet processes without leaving the familiar spreadsheet environment.
Whether you’re managing budgets, financial forecasts, marketing performance, or operational KPIs, Layer enables efficient collaboration, data consolidation, and workflow automation across teams and departments. It transforms spreadsheets from static documents into dynamic, scalable business tools—while still letting users work with the tools they already know.
Layer is designed to bridge the gap between traditional spreadsheet tools and enterprise-grade data management systems, offering advanced control, versioning, and approval workflows that are missing from standalone spreadsheet applications.
Features
Layer offers a robust suite of features aimed at improving spreadsheet collaboration and control. One of the core features is collaborative workflows, which allow users to share specific parts of a spreadsheet with teammates or stakeholders. You no longer need to send entire files back and forth—just share the sections that matter.
Access control is another standout feature. Users can define who can view, edit, or approve specific ranges within a spreadsheet. This ensures data privacy and integrity, especially in scenarios involving sensitive financial or operational data.
Automated workflows let users schedule recurring tasks like data requests, report submissions, or approvals. With Layer, teams can automate the collection and consolidation of data from multiple sources, saving hours of manual work.
Version control and audit logs give teams complete visibility into what changes were made, by whom, and when—making Layer ideal for compliance-focused organizations.
Integration with Excel and Google Sheets is seamless, and users don’t need to learn a new tool or interface. Layer plugs directly into existing spreadsheets, enhancing functionality without disrupting current workflows.
How It Works
Layer operates by connecting directly to your existing Excel or Google Sheets files, whether stored locally or in the cloud. After uploading or linking a spreadsheet, users can invite collaborators, define roles, and set permissions on specific ranges or sheets.
Using the Layer platform, users can create workflows such as data collection rounds, budget approvals, or forecast submissions. These workflows are triggered automatically based on schedules or user actions, reducing the need for emails or follow-ups.
Layer also helps consolidate data from multiple contributors into a single master file. This is particularly useful for finance teams collecting inputs from multiple departments or regional offices.
Each change is tracked and recorded, ensuring full transparency and making it easy to roll back to previous versions if needed. The result is a centralized platform where data entry, review, and approvals can be managed more efficiently.
Use Cases
Layer is highly valuable across various functions. Finance teams use Layer to streamline budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting by automating data collection and validation from different departments.
Marketing teams can collect campaign data, spending reports, and KPI updates from multiple stakeholders without dealing with version control issues.
Operations managers use Layer to track project progress, compile weekly reports, and ensure on-time updates from contributors, all within a single source of truth.
Startups and scale-ups benefit from Layer’s automation capabilities to eliminate repetitive spreadsheet tasks and focus on high-impact analysis.
In large enterprises, Layer is used to create scalable spreadsheet processes with defined roles, workflows, and compliance tracking—critical for industries like banking, insurance, and consulting.
Pricing
Layer offers a free plan that includes basic functionality for small teams or individuals looking to test the platform. This includes limited collaborators, access control, and basic workflow creation.
The Starter Plan is priced at €59 per month, allowing for more collaborators, scheduled workflows, and enhanced data collection features.
The Pro Plan costs €179 per month and includes unlimited workflows, priority support, advanced integrations, and enhanced collaboration tools.
For large organizations, Layer provides a Custom Enterprise Plan with custom pricing. This tier includes dedicated onboarding, security audits, custom integrations, and access to the full suite of collaboration and automation features.
All plans are available with monthly or annual billing options. Pricing details can be reviewed on the official Layer pricing page.
Strengths
Layer’s biggest strength is its ability to bring collaborative structure and automation to traditional spreadsheet tools. Teams can continue using Excel or Google Sheets without needing to switch to a new application or retrain users.
Its workflow automation and permission controls help eliminate the chaos of back-and-forth emails, file versioning, and data inconsistencies.
Layer also shines in enterprise environments where control, auditability, and process standardization are essential. It offers transparency across all spreadsheet-based workflows, helping teams stay organized and compliant.
With seamless integration and a modern, intuitive user interface, Layer enables fast adoption and immediate impact.
Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, Layer may not be necessary for very small teams or individuals with simple spreadsheet needs. The value of Layer becomes more apparent as collaboration complexity increases.
Another limitation is that while Layer integrates well with Excel and Google Sheets, it doesn’t yet support other spreadsheet or business intelligence tools directly. Teams looking for BI dashboards or direct database connectivity may need to complement Layer with other solutions.
Some users may also face a slight learning curve when setting up initial workflows and permissions, especially in larger organizations with complex reporting structures.
Finally, pricing may be a concern for smaller teams or startups, particularly those needing advanced features available only in the Pro or Enterprise plans.
Comparison with Other Tools
Layer competes with tools like Grid, Causal, and Airrange. Compared to Grid, which focuses on turning spreadsheets into dashboards, Layer emphasizes workflow automation and secure collaboration.
Causal is known for modeling and forecasting using a spreadsheet-like interface, but it replaces Excel/Sheets entirely, while Layer builds on top of them.
Airrange also focuses on sharing parts of spreadsheets, but Layer offers more comprehensive automation and workflow capabilities, making it more suitable for enterprise-level operations.
Where Layer stands out is in its deep integration with Excel and Google Sheets, its permission-based access control, and its focus on end-to-end spreadsheet process management rather than just visualization or analysis.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Layer has received strong reviews from users in finance, operations, and data-heavy roles. Customers frequently highlight the platform’s ability to reduce errors, save time, and improve data collection.
Finance teams report faster budgeting cycles, fewer email threads, and improved collaboration with department heads.
On platforms like Product Hunt and G2, users praise the intuitive UI, responsive support team, and how quickly Layer adds value to spreadsheet workflows.
Some testimonials mention that Layer has helped organizations transition from chaotic, email-driven data processes to a more controlled, reliable system—all without giving up Excel or Google Sheets.
Users especially appreciate the peace of mind that comes with audit logs, version control, and automated reminders.
Conclusion
Layer is a powerful tool that transforms how teams use spreadsheets by adding automation, collaboration, and control to Excel and Google Sheets. Designed for organizations that rely on spreadsheets for core business processes, Layer helps eliminate manual errors, streamline approvals, and ensure consistent data collection.
Its strong integration, scalable pricing, and ease of use make it a compelling solution for teams of all sizes, especially those managing financial, operational, or performance-related data.
While it may not be necessary for very simple use cases, Layer is an excellent investment for any team or company looking to bring structure and efficiency to spreadsheet-driven workflows.
