A spreadsheet (or spreadsheet program) is
software that permits numerical data to be used and to perform
automatic calculations on numbers contained in a table. It is also
possible to automate complex calculations by using a large number of
parameters and by creating tables called worksheets.
In addition, spreadsheets can also easily produce graphic representations of the data entered:
histograms
curves
sector charts
...
Therefore, the spreadsheet is a multi-use tool that works as well for
secretarial activities that involve organizing large quantities of
data, as at the strategic and decisional level by creating graphical
representation of synthesised information.
The Main Spreadsheets
Numerous spreadsheets have been produced by the main software companies. The main spreadsheets are:
Microsoft Excel, in the Microsoft Office office suite
Sun StarOffice Calc, in the StarOffice suite
OpenCalc, in the OpenOffice suite
IBM/Lotus 1-2-3 in the SmartSuite suite
Corel Quattro Pro in the WordPerfect suite
KSpread in the KOffice free suite from Linux
Examples in the following articles are based on the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, but the other spreadsheets contain the same functionalities.
