named ranges and DGET "sql-like" queries are in google sheets as well. (or perhaps what you meant is that few people know about these things, and don't use them, so you end up with unreadable messy code...)
It's all possible though, if you know where to look (I think excel even has table sheets now?)
If people want to do advanced stuff with software, they really do need to invest the time to learn where the advanced features of the software are. I think this is reasonable.