Using Google™ Spreadsheets

Section 1. Introducing Google Spreadsheets

Google Spreadsheets is a web-based spreadsheet that mimics some of the key features of freestanding spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel. Using a familiar row-and-column format, Google Spreadsheets allows you to manipulate numeric data in a variety of ways. Instead of using ledger paper, calculator, and pencil, you can now use Google Spreadsheets to do both simple and complex number-crunching activities—from any computer connected to the Internet.

Google Spreadsheets was born in Google Labs (labs.google.com), which is the incubator for many of Google's most innovative applications. Google, of course, is the Internet's most popular search site, and also host to a variety of search-based and non-search ...