Spreadsheets A spreadsheet is nothing more than a table on the computer screen. It is an electronic columnar pad. The possible numbers of rows and columns are unlimited for all practical purposes. For example, a cell might contain a formula telling it to display the total of the numbers in all the cells above it. Most of the time, the user does not have to write the formulas.
Spreadsheets have tools for automatic formula writing.
One swipe of the mouse can mark a group of cells. A click on a speed button or menu item can say a total is wanted, and another click shows where the total is to be displayed. Hundreds of mathematical functions are available besides summation. Many conveniences are supplied. For example, if a new row or column is inserted, cell references in existing formulas are automatically adjusted to the new layout.