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Many people have spreadsheet software but never use it. Maybe they never use it because they are intimidated by the software's complexities or perhaps they don't understand how it relates to their personal or business affairs.
There are many different spreadsheet software programs but the most popular are Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Works. There are also full featured versions that can be downloaded from the internet for free. One such free program is called OpenOffice and it contains a feature rich spreadsheet if you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a comparable Microsoft product.
What is a spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet is a program that uses a computer to perform rapid and accurate numeric calculations.
Why is a spreadsheet better than paper, pencil, and a hand held calculator?
A spreadsheet is vastly superior to paper, pencil, and hand held calculators because you can:
Enter data quickly and accurately.
Recalculate easily.
Perform what-if analysis.
Change the appearance of information.
Create and print charts.
Share information with other users.
Create new worksheets from existing ones quickly.
So the next time you break out all of your receipts and documents when tax time rolls around, think about how much easier it could have been if you had invested a little time and effort learning to use spreadsheets.
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