Spreadsheet Programs List

Spreadsheet programs on personal computers are used to organize information into a grid. Spreadsheet programs are predominantly used in accounting, but they are becoming increasingly versatile, and are now able to sort and spell check data, produce graphs, render pictures and more.

Microsoft Excel

Originally released for use with Macintosh computers, Microsoft Excel is the most widely used spreadsheet program today; it is part of the Microsoft Office Suite, which has been re-released every few years since the 1980s. While Microsoft Excel is generally included with the purchase of new PCs, a separate copy of this software can cost upwards of $100.

Apple iWork

The iWork suite is Apple Inc.'s equivalent to Microsoft Office; Numbers '09 is Apple's newest spreadsheet software in this package. Numbers '09 has a much more flexible interface than that of Microsoft Excel, boasting free-forming graphs, movable charts and the ability to insert text at any location.

Google Docs

Google Docs is an excellent suite of Web-based productivity tools that are a serious challenge to Microsoft and Apple spreadsheet software. Google Spreadsheets are entirely Web-based, allowing users to upload, download and edit materials at any time, and best of all, access to Google Spreadsheets is free with a Google account.

References

• Microsoft Excel - History
• Apple - iWork Numbers
• Google Spreadsheets