These calculations are determined by formulas placed in the cells by the spreadsheet user. The calculations happen much, much faster than an accountant can do math with a calculator. Spreadsheets are very useful, because in addition to calculating numbers happening in real life, the user can put in other numbers to see potential changes in outcomes. For example, if a businesswoman wants to know what her profit margin would be if she changed the prices of her products, a spreadsheet would show her. It is quite helpful for financial decision making.
Many spreadsheet programs can also produce graphs .
Spreadsheets are used in business for budget, payroll, pricing and inventory control, and production analysis. Individuals use spreadsheets for family budgets, checkbook ledgers , managing investments, and tax preparation. Teachers use spreadsheets for calculating grades . Young people and adults use ledgers, the paper form of a spreadsheet, to keep track of sales for fundraisers. Auto - fill Automatically put related data in adjoining cells.