A spreadsheet is a type of computer program that allows you to organize, compute, and analyze tabular data. It originated as a computerized version of paper accounting worksheets, but is now used for many different purposes. The data is entered into cells of a table and then the spreadsheet program will operate on that data.
Excel
In an Excel spreadsheet, the rows and columns are separated by boxes called cells. Information is entered into these cells by pressing the enter, return, or tab keys. When you are done entering information, the information appears in the formula bar at the top of the spreadsheet. You can change the appearance of the spreadsheet by selecting different views.
The main work area of an Excel spreadsheet consists of a grid, with numbered row headers and column headers. The work area also has rectangles called cells. Each cell is named according to its column and row number, such as cell A3. The Formula Bar displays information from the highlighted cells. This is where you enter formulas, including averages and minimums.
The Wrap Text tool in Excel solves a common problem faced by new Excel users. Text that extends past the cell size spills over into the next cell. In this case, typing into cell B1 would cover the extra text in cell A1. To solve this problem, click on the Wrap Text icon and the text will be separated into two lines.
To sort the data, highlight the column in which you want to sort the data. You can either sort the results by highest or lowest. For example, if you want to sort the weapons used in homicides, sort them from highest to lowest. You can also change the columns’ width or height to improve the display of data.
Another useful feature of the Excel spreadsheet is the Macro tool, which allows you to automate various actions on the spreadsheet. Macro functions are more complex and can perform different actions automatically. In addition, Excel has close integrations with Microsoft Access. This allows it to integrate better with datasets and databases where many calculations need to be performed.
VisiCalc
VisiCalc was developed in 1978. Its creators, Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston, were graduate students at Harvard Business School. The software was designed to allow students to create financial projections and complex “what if” scenarios. The program was initially available for the Apple II, Tandy TRS-80, Commodore PET, and Atari 800 computers. It quickly became a popular software application.
The original VisiCalc was demonstrated at the National Computer Conference in June 1979. It was then released for the Apple II in October 1979. Although it was not patented, the software was bought by Lotus Development Corporation, which adapted it into Lotus 1-2-3. A modified version of VisiCalc is still maintained by Bricklin on his website. It is available as a 27 kilobyte download.
The interface of VisiCalc is user-friendly. You can enter data in any cell, change the format of the cell, or enter a formula and change the value. It also has a command area at the top of the screen. To enter command mode, press the “/” key. You can then select an option to insert a row or split the window at the cursor.
VisiCalc’s original version featured labeling, allowing users to label an entire column or row. However, Bricklin later removed this feature because it was confusing and took up valuable screen real estate. VisiCalc, along with other programs derived from VisiCalc, soon dominated the personal and business number-crunching market. The application paved the way for personal computers, empowering people to make decisions and create more efficient business processes.
The Apple II computer was the first computer to be sold with VisiCalc. Its availability in the market for nearly a year made the Apple II popular among business owners. Not only did the program help make the Apple II more competitive, it also helped legitimize it as a business computer and lure businesses to the Apple II.
Lotus 1-2-3
The Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet was one of the first computer spreadsheet programs. It was released in 1983. It was developed by Lotus Software. The program was an evolution of the VisiCalc spreadsheet and was based on the IBM PC platform. It was designed by Lotus founder Mitch Kapor with a goal of being the best spreadsheet program in every category.
The earliest versions of Lotus 1-2-3 were protected by key disk copy protection, which required users to use the original floppy disk to open the program. This was easily cracked, which was a big inconvenience in office settings. Fortunately, Lotus stopped using copy protection with Release 3.0. In the meantime, users had to initialize the System disk with their company name.
The Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program was developed by Lotus Software, which is now a part of IBM. It was a popular spreadsheet program during the 1980s and contributed to the success of the IBM PC. In 1983, Lotus 1-2-3 outsold VisiCalc and became an industry standard.
As a result, the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet file may not be compatible with other spreadsheet programs. The file contains a maximum of 2048 rows and 256 columns. It also supports up to 640K bytes of memory, which isn’t enough to process a full spreadsheet. Hence, it is important to understand the differences between these two formats.
Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet is not only available for IBM PCs, but it will be ported to other microcomputers soon. Currently, 1-2-3 requires an IBM PC with two disk drives and at least 128K of RAM. The program can be run in monochrome or color mode. Alternatively, it can be run in split screen mode to view graphs.
Accessibility
A spreadsheet’s accessibility is important for people with disabilities. The most basic steps for creating an accessible spreadsheet include making sure it’s easy to read and understand. This can be achieved by implementing proper table design and column headers. Additionally, make sure all fields have descriptive names. The layout of the spreadsheet should also be accessible for screen readers.
A spreadsheet’s header row should include an informational title, preferably one that is distinct from the rest of the worksheet. The sheet title should be placed in cell A1 and use meaningful hyperlink text to direct users to a particular cell. The colors and shapes of tables and charts should be in a color-safe palette.
There’s a built-in accessibility checker in Excel that can help you make sure your spreadsheet is accessible. This tool can help you identify common errors, such as missing alt text or charts. This checker is located in the Review tab of Excel. Click the “Check Accessibility” checkbox to review accessibility errors in your spreadsheet.
If your spreadsheet contains data that you want to share with other people, you can easily export it as an accessible file. This means it will be accessible to those with disabilities. It should be accessible to assistive technology users, which means that it must be compatible with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Additionally, you should make sure that the file’s file names are descriptive.
Another key step in making your spreadsheet accessible is naming cells and ranges. This will make it easier for screen reader users to recognize the cell ranges they need to navigate. This feature is useful in long and complex Excel sheets, where the names are not always visible.
