Spreadsheets: Faster, Smarter
David H. Luthy · Journal of accountancy online/Journal of accountancy · 1994
Here's what you need to know to choose one of the powerful programs available today. Until the early 1970s, accountants prepared spreadsheets by hand--methodically punching away on calculators and filling in the columns and cells one at a time. Then, in 1974, the Visicalc spreadsheet program was introduced. Although it was clumsy, it revolutionized the profession, crimping sales of the once-ubiquitous columnar pad. Soon thereafter the more powerful SuperCalc and then Multiplan spreadsheet programs were introduced, finally followed by Lotus 1-2-3, which quickly became the standard for many in the profession. Today, with more than a dozen powerful spreadsheet programs on the market, accountants are confronted with such an embarrassment of riches that they no longer ask whether there is a good spreadsheet product available. Now they ask, Which program is best suited for my applications? Do I have to invest the time and money to learn more than one program? This article addresses these questions, reviewing many of the features of the leading spreadsheet programs. The article focuses only on Windows-based programs because, although the DOS versions of Lotus 1-2-3 probably are still the most popular among accountants, Windows programs quickly are moving into the lead. The new Windows spreadsheet programs sport so many features it's hard for an accountant to select among the products. While they are all good, some have features that are more useful for some applications than for others. Today's packages contain more sophisticated help systems and advanced analytical tools that guide users so they work smarter and easier. Spreadsheets have gotten so powerful in the area of basic data management that developers now are focusing on the next level of spreadsheet use: information analysis. For example, in the current crop of spreadsheets, multidimensional analysis can be done without writing formulas; instead, a user simply clicks the mouse on the area to be analyzed, drags it to the appropriate place on the screen and presto, analysis is performed. In addition, there are new types of spreadsheets with unique and powerful ways to build models and analyze data. One product that will be discussed later doesn't even use the conventional cell structure; its screen display looks like a diagram or flowehart. Even with exciting and powerful features, there is a nagging question: Can the increased productivity of a new or upgraded spreadsheet offset the time and expense required to make the change? That's a question users must answer for themselves. To help resolve the question, this article examines the key features of the three top-selling conventional spreadsheets for Windows--Excel, version 5.0, by Microsoft Corp., Lotus 1-2-3, version 4.01, by Lotus Development Corp. and Quattro Pro, version 5.0, by Borland International, Inc. In addition, the unique features of two unusual spreadsheets are examined--DS Lab Pro, version 2.0, by Decision Support Laboratory and Lotus Improv, version 2.1, by Lotus. DOING THE BASICS Excel, Lotus and Quattro Pro perform the basic spreadsheet tasks admirably. They are faithful to the Windows design of icons, menus, toolbars and on-line help, which means they all function in a similar way: By learning one program, users effectively know the basics of the others. Each has customizable icons that serve as shortcuts for frequently performed tasks. Clicking the right-hand button of the mouse when the cursor is on a screen object often displays either a context-sensitive menu or a brief description of the object. Excel goes one better: Whenever the cursor is paused over a toolbar button, a small display box pops up, showing the purpose of the button. Excel and Quattro Pro have added help features. Excel's Wizards and Quattro Pro's Experts are sophisticated help systems that guide the user through complex procedures. In addition, Excel has a help feature called TipWizard that monitors how work is being done, and if there is a more efficient way, it suggests the better alternative. …