About Spreadsheets
The personal computer (PC) first appeared in 1975 but, initially the PCs were of interest primarily to the electronics hobbyists.
Later in 1977 when more usable PCs started appearing, it attracted a wider population.
The PCs became more popular when Dan and Bon Frankston invented "the visible calculator" for Apple II in 1979.
"The visible calculator" was the first electronic spreadsheet.
This attracted accountants, book keepers, managers and all those who created budget, analyzed statistics or collected numerical research data.
This powerful computational tool could save time, help avoid endless and brain-numbing arithmetic, and eliminate mathematical errors.
It was acknowledged by many that the invention of the spreadsheet, more than any other event, launched the personal computer revolution.
An electronic spreadsheet is a worksheet used in a computer to create and quickly perform "What if" analysis of interrelated columnar data in workspaces.
The intersection of rows and columns creates cells.
The cells are addressed in terms of the row and column labels.
Any data, like numbers, text or formulae can be typed into a cell.
The power of the spreadsheet lies in the fact that the cells can contain formulae, which perform certain mathematical operations on the data in other cells and display the results in a new cell.
Electronic spreadsheets can also be used for presenting the worksheet data in an impressive manner such as bar-charts, pie-charts, line graphs, three-dimensional charts and other visual forms.
'Spreadsheet' and 'worksheet' mean one and the same but, now over time, the term 'spreadsheet' has come to refer specifically to the software packages, while 'worksheet' refers to the files that you create with spreadsheet software.
Sellable electronic spreadsheet packages are in use since late 1970s.
Visible Calculator was the first popular spreadsheet package developed for microcomputers in 1979.
It contained 63 columns (A, B...
BK) and 254 rows.
Visible Calculator was essentially a financial analysis program.
After seeing the power the success of Visible Calculator, Several companies tried to develop spreadsheet packages.
Lotus Development Corporation introduced Lotus 1-2-3 in 1982.
This package became very common because of its ability to combine database management and graphics features with its spreadsheet.
The other general spreadsheet programs are 'Excel from Microsoft Corporation Pro from International, 'Improve' from Lotus Corporation and 'Star Office Calc' from Sun Micro systems.
The worksheet information can be transferred to any database or word processing software.
Calculations are automated through the built-in mathematical, financial and statistical functions.
Worksheet can be saved and retrieved later.
Any part or whole having worksheet can be merged with any living or new worksheet.
Later in 1977 when more usable PCs started appearing, it attracted a wider population.
The PCs became more popular when Dan and Bon Frankston invented "the visible calculator" for Apple II in 1979.
"The visible calculator" was the first electronic spreadsheet.
This attracted accountants, book keepers, managers and all those who created budget, analyzed statistics or collected numerical research data.
This powerful computational tool could save time, help avoid endless and brain-numbing arithmetic, and eliminate mathematical errors.
It was acknowledged by many that the invention of the spreadsheet, more than any other event, launched the personal computer revolution.
An electronic spreadsheet is a worksheet used in a computer to create and quickly perform "What if" analysis of interrelated columnar data in workspaces.
The intersection of rows and columns creates cells.
The cells are addressed in terms of the row and column labels.
Any data, like numbers, text or formulae can be typed into a cell.
The power of the spreadsheet lies in the fact that the cells can contain formulae, which perform certain mathematical operations on the data in other cells and display the results in a new cell.
Electronic spreadsheets can also be used for presenting the worksheet data in an impressive manner such as bar-charts, pie-charts, line graphs, three-dimensional charts and other visual forms.
'Spreadsheet' and 'worksheet' mean one and the same but, now over time, the term 'spreadsheet' has come to refer specifically to the software packages, while 'worksheet' refers to the files that you create with spreadsheet software.
Sellable electronic spreadsheet packages are in use since late 1970s.
Visible Calculator was the first popular spreadsheet package developed for microcomputers in 1979.
It contained 63 columns (A, B...
BK) and 254 rows.
Visible Calculator was essentially a financial analysis program.
After seeing the power the success of Visible Calculator, Several companies tried to develop spreadsheet packages.
Lotus Development Corporation introduced Lotus 1-2-3 in 1982.
This package became very common because of its ability to combine database management and graphics features with its spreadsheet.
The other general spreadsheet programs are 'Excel from Microsoft Corporation Pro from International, 'Improve' from Lotus Corporation and 'Star Office Calc' from Sun Micro systems.
The worksheet information can be transferred to any database or word processing software.
Calculations are automated through the built-in mathematical, financial and statistical functions.
Worksheet can be saved and retrieved later.
Any part or whole having worksheet can be merged with any living or new worksheet.
Source...