How Do You Choose A Spreadsheet Program?
Spreadsheets are sophisticated number-crunching programs. They calculate and recalculate figures, generate charts, graphs and reports and provide tools and templates to automate much of the process for the user. Evaluate your needs for using a spreadsheet. Do you need to use complex formulas or specialized features such as pivot tables? Or do you just want to use the spreadsheet as an easy way to create text tables? (See the eHow “Decide When to Use a Spreadsheet Program” for more tips.) Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices. Try the spreadsheet in Microsoft Works to see if it offers you enough capabilities, if Works came with your computer. (Try AppleWorks if you use a Mac.) Choose the program you use at work if it is commercially available and you want compatibility or you want to save the time required to learn a slightly different program. Consider that most businesses use Microsoft Excel. Buy Excel or the full Microsoft Office suite, if you
