Spreadsheets, database programs, word processors, and presentation authoring tools are commonly used by all personal computer users and are readily available for many teachers and students. Not all bundles are identical and the actual programs that comprise the bundle are determined by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, the basic idea behind bundled applications is the same. This simplifies learning the different commands that work across the programs and allows the user to move data easily between different application tools. For example, it is possible to total a column of numbers, divide that total by cells within the column, and report the resulting average elsewhere on the spreadsheet.
Most spreadsheet programs provide a capacity for graphing data.
Students can design spreadsheet layouts, collect the data to fill in the various rows an columns, and then write equations to analyze the data they have collected. In this way, a spreadsheet becomes a vehicle for learning about and representing both simple and more complex relationships between numbers and pieces of information. While the use of spreadsheets is very common in mathematics and science curricula, they can be used any place where data collection and analysis is required. Many teachers use spreadsheets in social studies curricula where students might collect numerical information and organize it chronologically. Projects on genealogy and immigration make particular use of spreadsheets.