spreadsheet
gb/spɹˈɛdʃˌit/ us/spɹˈɛdʃˌit/
B1
English
~ 7700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
digital grid document for data
A computer document with many boxes in rows and columns, used to store numbers and do math.
Usage pattern:
to create [a] spreadsheet for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spreadsheet' with 'table' or 'chart'. A 'spreadsheet' is the whole document in a program like Excel or Google Sheets, which can contain several tables, charts, and worksheets. A 'table' is just a set of rows and columns, and a 'chart' is a visual picture of data.
Synonyms
worksheet (A common technical term inside spreadsheet programs; often refers to one tab within a spreadsheet file rather than the whole file.)
|
table (Focuses on the grid of data itself and not on the calculation features of a spreadsheet program.)
Antonyms
word-processed document (A document mainly for text and paragraphs, not for numbers and calculations in a grid.)
Collocations
create a spreadsheet
|open a spreadsheet
|shared spreadsheet
|complex spreadsheet
|spreadsheet template
|sales spreadsheet
Themes
technology
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I put all of our monthly expenses into a spreadsheet.
- She sent me a spreadsheet showing the last three years of sales data.
- The budget spreadsheet updates automatically when you change a number.
- They work together in the same online spreadsheet to track the project.
- Please upload the completed spreadsheet to the shared folder.
Learner examples
- I made a spreadsheet for my home budget.
- He keeps his client list in a spreadsheet.
- We use an online spreadsheet to plan our trip.
- Can you open this spreadsheet on your computer?
- The numbers in the spreadsheet change when I type a new value.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
software type for spreadsheets
Computer software that lets you make and use spreadsheets.
Usage pattern:
to use [spreadsheet] software for [task]
Common mistake:
Learners often do not separate the ideas of a 'spreadsheet file' and 'spreadsheet software'. In sentences like 'I installed a spreadsheet', native speakers usually say 'spreadsheet software' or name the program (for example, 'I installed Excel').
Synonyms
spreadsheet software (More explicit; clearly refers to the program, not a single file.)
|
Excel (A brand name often used informally to mean any spreadsheet program, though it is technically one specific product.)
Antonyms
word processor (A different type of software that focuses on text documents rather than data grids and calculations.)
Collocations
spreadsheet software
|spreadsheet program
|spreadsheet application
|learn spreadsheet skills
|advanced spreadsheet features
Themes
technology
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You need spreadsheet installed on your computer to open these files.
- Many office jobs expect basic skills in spreadsheet and presentation software.
- This course will teach you how to use spreadsheet for financial analysis.
- The new version of the spreadsheet includes better tools for data visualization.
- She prefers using spreadsheet to manage her small business accounts.
Learner examples
- I am learning spreadsheet at night school.
- Most offices use spreadsheet for accounting work.
- This computer does not have any spreadsheet installed.
- He uses spreadsheet to make graphs from the data.
- Good spreadsheet skills can help you get a job.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
paper form with grid for data
A big paper page with many small boxes in rows and columns, used to write down data by hand.
Usage pattern:
to fill in [a] spreadsheet by hand
Common mistake:
Many learners think 'spreadsheet' only means something on a computer. In some contexts, especially when talking about older methods or physical documents, it can also mean a paper page with rows and columns for writing in data.
Synonyms
ledger sheet (More specific to accounting and finance, especially for paper records.)
|
record sheet (General term for a paper form used to record information; may not always have a grid layout.)
Antonyms
digital spreadsheet (A version stored and edited on a computer instead of on paper.)
Collocations
paper spreadsheet
|printed spreadsheet
|manual spreadsheet
|fill out a spreadsheet
|accounting spreadsheet
Themes
business
|administration
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Before computers, staff used a paper spreadsheet to track every sale.
- The accountant spread a large spreadsheet across the desk and checked each number.
- They handed out a printed spreadsheet for volunteers to sign in and out.
- He keeps a handwritten spreadsheet of his daily expenses in a binder.
- Each classroom records attendance on a spreadsheet pinned to the wall.
Learner examples
- The teacher gave us a paper spreadsheet to record our homework.
- My grandfather used a big spreadsheet on his desk for his bills.
- We write the numbers on a spreadsheet and add them later.
- Please fill in this spreadsheet with the visitor names.
- She keeps a spreadsheet in her notebook for her training plan.
Grammar
Expressions
Excel spreadsheet
1/ɪksˈɛl spɹˈɛdʃˌit/
fixed phrase
spreadsheet made in Excel
A spreadsheet file that was made with the Microsoft Excel program.
Examples
- She attached an Excel spreadsheet with all the cost estimates.
- The report must be submitted as an Excel spreadsheet, not a PDF.
open a spreadsheet
1/ˈoʊpən ə spɹˈɛdʃˌit/
fixed phrase
load a spreadsheet file
To start a spreadsheet file in a program so that you can see and change it.
Examples
- Please open the spreadsheet and check the latest numbers.
- When I tried to open the spreadsheet, the program crashed.
put into a spreadsheet
1/pˈʊt ˈɪntu ə spɹˈɛdʃˌit/
fixed phrase
enter data in a spreadsheet
To type or copy information so that it is stored in a spreadsheet.
Examples
- Could you put these survey results into a spreadsheet for me?
- She spent the afternoon putting all the invoices into a spreadsheet.
spreadsheet application
1/spɹˈɛdʃˌit ˌæplɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
software application for spreadsheets
A software tool that lets you build and work with spreadsheets.
Examples
- This spreadsheet application can connect directly to your company database.
- Many mobile phones now include a basic spreadsheet application.
spreadsheet program
1/spɹˈɛdʃˌit pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
technical
type of spreadsheet software
A kind of computer program that lets you create and change spreadsheets.
Examples
- Excel is probably the most widely used spreadsheet program.
- The course will show you how to choose the right spreadsheet program for your needs.
spreadsheet software
1/spɹˈɛdʃˌit sˈɔftwˌɛɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
software for making spreadsheets
Computer programs that let you make and use spreadsheets, such as Excel or Google Sheets.
Examples
- Most offices use spreadsheet software for budgeting and reporting.
- You can download free spreadsheet software if you do not want to pay for Excel.