Moving from Spreadsheets to Proper Collection Management
Most serious collectors start with a spreadsheet. It works, until it does not. Spreadsheets have no images, no public sharing, and no automatic value totals. Vitrine handles everything a spreadsheet cannot. Free to start, with paid plans from £5/month.
Free forever up to 100 items.
Images per item, value totals, public collection page, barcode scanning, mobile-friendly views. None of which a spreadsheet has.
Vitrine vs Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets): side by side
| Feature | Vitrine | Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets) |
|---|---|---|
| Images per item | Yes | No (URLs only) |
| Public collection page | Yes | No |
| Collection value total | Automatic | Manual formula |
| Designed for collections | Yes | No, general purpose |
| Barcode scanning | Yes, in the browser | No |
| Search and filter | Instant | Filter or VLOOKUP |
| Mobile access | Yes, full features | Limited (Google Sheets) |
| Sharing with others | Public page or link | Shared document |
Convinced? Start free up to 100 items.
Start free →Why collectors switch to Vitrine
Every item has a visual record
Add photos to each item in your Vitrine collection. Browse your catalogue visually, see condition details at a glance, and build a proper archive of what you own.
A public collection page in minutes
Every Vitrine account comes with a public-facing collection website. Share it with fellow collectors, use it as a trade list, or show family what you have spent the last decade building.
Your spreadsheet data imports directly
If your spreadsheet has columns for name, description, value, and condition, it can be imported into Vitrine. CSV import is available on the Hobbyist plan and above.
Where spreadsheets break down
Spreadsheets struggle past a few hundred items
Filtering, searching, and calculating values across 500+ rows is slow and error-prone. Formulas break. Columns drift. What started as a clean tracker becomes a maintenance burden.
No images, no visual catalogue
A spreadsheet can store a URL to a photo, but it cannot display your collection visually. You cannot browse your coins or trading cards the way you would browse a proper catalogue.
Sharing is messy
Sharing a Google Sheet means giving someone edit access or a view-only link that looks like, well, a spreadsheet. There is no way to present your collection in a way that does it justice.
Pricing comparison
Vitrine
Free
Community plan, up to 100 items
£5/month
Hobbyist plan, up to 1,000 items
Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets)
Free
but limited for serious collections
Start on the free plan
No credit card. Cancel anytime. Export to CSV whenever you like.
How to migrate from Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets)
Most collections move over in an evening. Tap to see the steps.
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How to migrate from Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets)
Most collections move over in an evening. Tap to see the steps.
- 1
Clean up your spreadsheet
Ensure your spreadsheet has clear column headers: title (or name), description, category, condition, value, acquisition date, and any notes. Remove merged cells and blank rows.
- 2
Save as CSV
In Excel: File → Save As → CSV. In Google Sheets: File → Download → CSV. This gives you a clean flat file ready to import.
- 3
Import into Vitrine
On the Hobbyist plan and above, upload the CSV directly. Community users can copy-paste or re-enter items using the quick-add form. Most spreadsheets migrate in an evening.
- 4
Add images and enrich your records
Once your items are in Vitrine, add photos, fill in any missing details, and set your collection visibility. Your collection now has a proper home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import my Excel or Google Sheets collection into Vitrine?
Yes. Export your spreadsheet as CSV and import it into Vitrine. CSV import is available on the Hobbyist plan and above (max 500 rows per import). Community users can add items manually via quick-add.
Will I lose anything by switching from a spreadsheet?
If your spreadsheet has custom columns that do not map to Vitrine fields, you can store that data in the notes or description fields. You gain images, a public page, barcode scanning, and automatic value totals.
Is Vitrine better than Google Sheets for a small collection?
For a collection under 50 items, a spreadsheet is fine. Once you have images to track, values to total, or a collection you want to share, Vitrine becomes the better tool. The free Community plan costs nothing to try.
Every item you add to the spreadsheet is one more to re-key later.
Ready to switch from Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets)?
Free to start, no credit card needed. Your collection stays private until you choose to share it.
Switch from Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets) →Export to CSV anytime · Cancel in one click · Free up to 100 items