A spreadsheet is a type of computer software used to organize and analyze information. A spreadsheet is made up of a series of vertical columns (which are labeled with letters) and horizontal rows (labeled with numbers). The junction of a column and row is called a cell. In the illustration to the right, we have columns labeled A through D and rows labeled 1 through 5. At the moment, our cell cursor is positioned in cell B3. Each cell gets its name from the column and row that creates it.

Each cell in a spreadsheet can contain a label, a number, or a formula.

A label is simply text such as a heading for the spreadsheet or the title of a column or row.

Numbers can take many forms: whole numbers, decimals, currency, per cents, scientific notation and dates or times. It is often necessary to format cells containing numbers so that the number will be displayed properly.

Finally, a cell can contain a formula. Formulas are mathematical calculations. To the right are some examples of formulas.

=D3+D4+D5+D6 - adds cell D3, D4, D5 and D6

= D12-D11/2 - subtracts D11 from D12 and then divides by 2

=SUM(F5:F10) - Sums (adds up) the contents of cells F5, F6, etc. through F10

Once set up a spreadsheet frees students from doing long math calculations and allows them to concentrate on the mathematical problem itself.

A spreadsheet can easily convert numbers and data into graphs and charts like those shown at the right.