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Grid Tools vs Native Smartsheet

Smartsheet provides solid core functionality, but many repetitive column, row, and workflow operations require multiple clicks, manual repetition, or simply aren't available in the native interface. Grid Tools adds targeted capabilities directly into the Smartsheet UI so you can do more without leaving the page or switching tools.

Without Grid Tools

The daily workaround

No bulk column operations
Native Smartsheet requires you to rename, reorder, or resize columns one at a time, which becomes slow on sheets with 30 or 50 columns.
Column visibility is manual
Hiding and unhiding columns in Smartsheet requires toggling each one individually through the column header menu, with no way to restore a saved hidden-column state.
Workflow editor is cramped
The native Smartsheet automation editor renders in a fixed-size panel, making it hard to read complex multi-step workflows without constant scrolling.
No dark mode in Smartsheet
Smartsheet does not offer a dark color scheme, forcing users who prefer low-light displays to work in a bright white interface throughout the day.
Screenshot: Smartsheet automation editor zoomed out to show a full multi-step workflow in a single view
Zoom out the workflow editor to read long automation chains without horizontal scrolling.
Screenshot: Workflow popout window expanded to full-screen size showing a complex automation
Pop out the workflow editor into a resizable window to give complex automations more room.
Screenshot: Smartsheet grid displayed in dark mode with dark background and light text
Dark mode covers the grid, sidebars, and panels — no Smartsheet account setting required.

With Grid Tools

How Grid Tools handles it

Bulk column tools
Grid Tools adds a toolbar with bulk resize, reorder, select-all, hide/unhide, prefix/suffix removal, and column export operations that apply across all columns at once.
Saved column visibility states
The unhide/rehide feature lets you restore a specific set of visible columns in one click, replacing the native toggle-each-column workflow.
Zoom-out and popout for workflows
Grid Tools lets you zoom out the automation editor to see the full workflow at a glance, and pop it out to a larger resizable window for detailed editing.
CSS-injected dark mode
Grid Tools applies a dark theme across the Smartsheet grid, workflows, dashboards, and other views without requiring any change to your Smartsheet account settings.
Screenshot: Grid Tools toolbar showing bulk column resize controls above a Smartsheet grid with many columns
Resize all columns to fit their content in one click instead of dragging each column header individually.
Screenshot: Column reorder panel listing all columns with drag handles for rearranging
Reorder columns using a dedicated panel rather than dragging headers across a wide grid.
Screenshot: Unhide/rehide tool showing a saved column visibility preset being applied
Restore a saved set of visible columns instantly — useful when switching between data entry and review views.

Frequently asked questions

Does Grid Tools replace anything that Smartsheet already does?

No — Grid Tools extends Smartsheet rather than replacing it. All native Smartsheet features remain available; Grid Tools adds operations that the native interface doesn't provide or makes repetitive tasks significantly faster.

Will Grid Tools break if Smartsheet updates its interface?

Grid Tools operates by reading and modifying the Smartsheet DOM in the browser, so significant Smartsheet UI changes can temporarily affect specific features. Updates to Grid Tools are released to restore compatibility when this happens.

Does Grid Tools require a Smartsheet API key or account permission?

No. Grid Tools runs entirely in the browser as a Chrome or Firefox extension and does not connect to the Smartsheet API or require any special account permissions.

Which parts of Smartsheet does Grid Tools enhance?

Grid Tools adds tools to the grid view, workflow (automation) editor, reports, dashboards, and document generation views. The mobile app and the Smartsheet desktop app are not supported.

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