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Spreadsheets
Purpose
A spreadsheet is designed primarily to store numbers and perform calculations and recalculations. It uses what are called 'cells'. A cell is designed to contain data. The cells are arranged in columns and rows. The columns are typically labelled with letters and the rows are typically labelled with numbers.
Thus, the first cell in a spreadsheet is A1. To illustrate how the spreadsheet contains data and performs calculations, this is a simple example.
A1 contains the number 2
B1 contains the number 3
C1 contains a formula: =A1*B1 (in other words "=2 times 3")
Although C1 contains a formula, what you see is the result of the formula, i.e. the number '6'
Calculations can be much more complex than that. Using another simple example:
D1 contains a formula: =C1-1.5
D1 displays the number '4.5'
Recalculation would occur in the examples given if you altered the numbers in A1 or B1. If you change the value in A1 to 4, C1 will display the number '12' and D1 will display the number '10.5'.
Organisation
As stated, the cells are arranged in columns and rows. A kSpread spreadsheet document contains by default 3 sheets. Each sheet contains 32767 rows and 32767 columns. You will find, however, that there are practical limitations on the amount of data which you can store in one document and you should keep individual documents as small and simple as possible. It may be better to use more than one document for your requirements. Spreadsheets can contain links to other spreadsheets.
Because of the use of columns and rows, spreadsheets are used to keep lists without necessarily using numbers. They can therefore serve as simple databases. If you need database functions, however, you should think about using database software (such as Kexi) instead of spreadsheets.
Syntax
The spreadsheet will not recognise any formula. It will recognise formulas constructed in a certain way. The syntax used by kSpread will differ from the syntax used by other spreadsheet software. You need to study the handbook mentioned on the main kSpread page.
