Spreadsheets are able to perform calculations and display data. The data is
usually entered in tabular form. Whilst pocket calculators can compute and display
one result at a time a spreadsheet can show hundreds of results time a new value
is entered. This enables hypothetical "what if" scenarios to be seen.
when data in one part of the sheet is altered it can immediately affect the
rest of the sheet and an immediate calculation can be performed to show the
effect.
Spreadsheets are a powerful business tool. They can be used for accounts or statistical data. Data management is often available and limited functionality databases can be set up. It can be used as a template for charts. Extra tools are built into a number of the more modern packages for presentation of the data in forms such as graphs and bar charts. Tax calculations can be performed or you could create time sheets. In fact a spreadsheet can be used for just about anything connected with numbers and calculations.
In the late 1970s a Havard Business School student and a friend who was a programmer introduced a software package call VisiCalc (the VISIble CALCulator) which shattered all sales records for software and revolutionised computing for microcomputers. It showed that you didn't need a mainframe to do anything serious. VisiCalc was easy to use and made anyone who used it more productive. This was really the first "mass" spreadsheet.
Today, there are many more packages available - often integrated with other products or providing other functions. Popular packages include Microsoft's Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro and SuperCalc.
The Display Basics Formulas Data Management
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