What is Spreadsheeting?

Spreadsheeting ain't Spreadsheets

What is spreadsheeting?

Spreadsheeting is often defined as “using spreadsheet programs”. This is certainly can be a good way to spreadsheet, but it is not the only way you can do it, nor does using a spreadsheet program guarantee successful spreadsheeting.

Spreadsheeting is basically a set of tactics you can use or an activity you can do to help you think about things more clearly. As it's name might suggest, spreadsheeting is built around the notion of spreading things neatly out in front of you, either literally or figuratively speaking. You can use various media for this purpose. Even imagining you are doing it will help solve problems, etc.

Consider the strategy a mechanic will use to fix up a motor cycle engine. He or she will usually take the engine apart. (This tactic is called analysis) and finally put it back together again. (This is called synthesis).

In between these stages, however, the mechanic is very likely to spread out and arrange the parts neatly on the bench. This will help him or her to think about which parts are missing or defective or should be working together.

When we spreadsheet nowadays, however, the things we spread out and arrange on our computer screen, are more likely to represent other things. Spreadsheet programs can enable us, for example, to “model” quite complex, dynamic situations. The process of doing this kind of thing is most worthy of being called "spreadsheeting".

Spreadsheeting is a useful way to

(a) explore ideas and situations
(b) Solve problems (particularly if these lend themselves to mathematical and logical solutions)
(c) Create useful and interesting things, like artworks or spreadsheet applications
(d) have fun (Two good signs of having fun are being able to focus on something while feeling confident or relaxed about outcomes.)