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Is native Confluence tables enough for your team?
Confluence tables work well for documenting information, but many teams also rely on them to manage trackers, plans, and shared data. As tables become more central to everyday collaboration, it’s useful to understand where native tables work well and where a more structured, spreadsheet-like approach adds value.
Read on to see how Excel-like Tables for Confluence compares with native Confluence tables, and decide which approach best supports your team’s workflow.
TLDR
Native Confluence tables work well for simple, static documentation.
Excel-like Tables for Confluence is designed for teams who want to keep calculations, structured data, and frequent updates directly inside Confluence. It helps reduce manual work, minimize errors, and replace shared spreadsheets with collaborative pages.
Feature comparison
The table below highlights the key differences between Excel-like Tables for Confluence and native Confluence tables. Use it for a quick overview to better understand how each option supports your everyday work.
| Feature | Excel-like Tables for Confluence | Native Confluence Tables |
|---|---|---|
| Calculations and formulas | Built-in Excel-style formulas Supports functions like SUM and conditional logic to automatically calculate totals, roll-ups, and derived values inside Confluence pages. |
Not supported All calculations must be done manually or outside Confluence. |
| Data structure | Structured spreadsheet cells Each cell behaves like a spreadsheet cell, helping teams maintain consistency and reduce formatting errors. |
Free-form table cells Cells contain plain text with no enforced structure. |
| Editing experience | Spreadsheet-style editing Fast keyboard input, copy-paste, and bulk updates similar to Exce |
Basic inline editing Cell-by-cell editing with limited keyboard support. |
| Ongoing updates | Designed for living data Tables automatically recalculate when values change, making them suitable for frequent updates. |
Manual maintenance Every change must be updated individually. |
| Data reusability across Confluence | Create once, reuse everywhere Reuse data through cell linking, single-cell excerpts, range excerpts, and chart excerpts that stay in sync across pages. |
Not supported Data must be duplicated manually across pages. |
| Import and export | Excel and CSV import/export Reuse existing spreadsheets directly in Confluence and export data when needed. |
Copy-paste only No native import or export support. |
| Scale and maintainability | Handles complex tables Works well for larger tables and repeated use over time. |
Best for small tables Becomes harder to maintain as tables grow. |
Strengths and trade-offs at a glance
Both options work well in different situations. This section focuses on practical scenarios to show where each approach performs best, helping you assess the trade-offs based on how your team uses Confluence.
| Scenario | Excel-like Tables for Confluence | Native Confluence Tables |
|---|---|---|
| Simplicity | Best when structure matters Designed for teams managing structured data rather than free-form text. |
Best for quick documentation Ideal for simple reference tables. |
| Ongoing updates | Built for frequent changes Automatic recalculations reduce repetitive manual work. |
Manual updates required Frequent changes increase effort and risk. |
| Data accuracy | Reduces human error Formulas help keep calculations consistent across rows. |
Higher error risk Manual calculations can become inconsistent over time. |
| Collaboration | Supports shared ownership Multiple contributors can update data without breaking formulas. |
Editor-dependent Consistency depends on individual editing habits. |
| Long-term usability | Scales with growing data Suitable for recurring use cases and evolving requirements. |
Harder to scale Large tables become difficult to maintain and audit. |
Is this the right fit for you?
If you’re still deciding, the table below maps common situations to the option that typically works best. It’s intended as a practical guide rather than a strict rule.
| Your situation | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Tables are mainly used for documentation | Native Confluence tables. Simple, built-in, and sufficient for static content. |
| You manage trackers, budgets, or plans | Excel-like Tables for Confluence. Supports calculations and frequent updates without external spreadsheets. |
| Multiple people update the same data | Excel-like Tables for Confluence. Reduces inconsistency and manual errors. |
| Tables are rarely updated | Native Confluence tables. No additional setup required. |
| You want to replace shared Excel files | Excel-like Tables for Confluence. Keeps structured data visible and collaborative in Confluence. |
Common use cases
Excel-like Tables for Confluence is commonly used for:
- Budget planning and cost tracking
- Dynamic dashboards and reporting
- Project and milestone tracking
- Replacing shared Excel files with collaborative Confluence pages
You can explore real-world examples in the use case library, which shows how teams apply these tables across different workflows.
Native Confluence tables remain a good fit for:
- Meeting notes
- Simple reference lists
- Documentation tables with minimal updates
Summary
Native Confluence tables are well-suited for straightforward documentation and static content.
When teams need calculations, frequent updates, or shared ownership of structured data, Excel-like Tables for Confluence offers a more reliable and scalable way to work directly inside Confluence.