Spreadsheet Day

October 17 is Spreadsheet Day – a day to commemorate the momentous invention of the first spreadsheet program, VisiCalc, in 1979. On this day, people celebrate the many benefits of software designed to create spreadsheets, such as managing budgets, compiling shopping lists, and marking dates of interest. The holiday is associated with reading and writing about spreadsheets, as well as designing them.

History

In 1979, on October 17, the world was introduced to VisiCalc – the first-ever spreadsheet program. Created by Software Arts developers Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston, the software made it easier to manage large amounts of data, which led to its popularity among small businesses. This success was a major factor in the transformation of the Apple II from a conventional computer to an affordable business tool, as Steve Jobs repeatedly noted. Spreadsheets have since become ubiquitous, used for managing budgets, sorting data, keeping track of names and numbers of employees, and much more.

Interesting Facts

• VisiCalc (“visual calculator”) is the first spreadsheet program.
• Spreadsheet Day was founded in February 2010 by Debra Dalglish.
• VisiCalc’s success was a major factor in the transformation of the Apple II from a conventional computer to an affordable business tool.

How to Take Part

On Spreadsheet Day, you can take the opportunity to learn more about spreadsheets, develop your own, and manage budgeting and other data. Share your work and thoughts on spreadsheets on social media using the #SpreadsheetDay hashtag.

When is Spreadsheet Day in 2024?

Spreadsheet Day is observed on October 17 each year.

Observations