How Are Spreadsheets Used?
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About Spreadsheets
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Spreadsheets are computer software programs which allow users to enter information in a series of numbered or lettered columns and rows. The computer spreadsheet mirror paper spreadsheets which consist of crosshatched lines that create a sheet with many square or rectangular boxes. Computerized spreadsheets are advantageous since data in any box can be readily altered and copied or pasted quickly; such operations would take minutes or hours by hand on paper.
Data Organization
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The primary purpose of a spreadsheet is to organize and store data, especially numerical data, such as financial, mathematical, or scientific information. Spreadsheets are used extensively in accounting and financial services for their ability to quickly and accurately organize data. Typically, to organize data row and/or column titles are entered in the first cell of a row or column to identify the numbers in each individual cell.
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Calculations
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Another use for computer spreadsheet programs is performing calculations on data entered into the program's cells. Many spreadsheet programs allow users to apply a certain mathematical formula to a cell and display the result in a different specified cell. Microsoft Excel, the most commonly used spreadsheet program in business and finance, allows the user to make references to other cells within the program, which allows for a given calculation to be applied to many cells down column or across a row to be carried out automatically. Performing such mass calculations by hand would require more time.
Graphs
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Spreadsheet programs are also useful for their ability to display data in graphical form. At business meetings or when explaining numbers to someone who is not mathematically inclined, visual representations of data in the form of pie charts, histograms or other graphics can be very useful. Spread sheet programs like Excel can quickly convert cells of data into a graph which represents the numbers selected, which can be copied to word processing documents and emailed or printed out for presentations.
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