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In a spreadsheet, numerical data is stored
in cells that are arranged on a grid. Cells are referred to by their
position in this grid according to the column and row they occupy
(such as A3). The data could be a number, text, or a calculation. If A3
contained the value 10, and the adjacent cell (B3) contained the
calculation "=A3*2.54" (take the value in A3 and multiply it by 2.54),
then the value 25.4 would represent B3. In other words, a value in
inches in A3 is converted to centimeters in B3, since 2.54 is the
conversion factor.
A range of numerical values can be calculated in this way, and this makes it possible to carry out large and complex calculations. Many spreadsheets have the ability to plot data in the form of graphs, bar charts, and pie charts. Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 are both examples of spreadsheet applications.
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