The spreadsheet screen is pictured in Figure B.

FIGURE B

The spreadsheet is set up as a workbook that can have multiple sheets.

When you open the spreadsheet, you'll find it's set up similar to Excel, as a workbook that can have multiple sheets. Generally speaking, the operation of the spreadsheet is similar to most desktop spreadsheets. Each sheet is accessible via the tab at the bottom of the sheet. Moving around the sheet is done via the scroll bars on the right and bottom of the sheet or by utilizing the Address and To Do buttons (after setting the option for this in Preferences).

Manipulating cells
Once again, marking ranges of cells is similar to the desktop Excel spreadsheet. Entire ranges of cells are marked by tapping on a cell and then dragging the stylus across the range to be marked. Entire rows or columns may be marked by tapping the row number or column header. Column and row width my also be adjusted by dragging the border. The available functions parallel Excel in format. The built-in functions included should cover what most users will wish to do on their Palm devices. Cell formats and sheet editing functions are similarly controlled via simplified menus that should be intuitive to most users, particularly if they're familiar with Excel. You also have the option of making workbooks password protected. Making workbooks private via the Palm OS security features is also supported.

The toolbar
A small toolbar is shown across the bottom of the sheet. This toolbar contains buttons for tasks such as save, function lists, cut, copy, paste, delete, undo, and formatting. This toolbar is blown up for better viewing in Figure C.

FIGURE C

Task buttons are kept in the TinySheet toolbar.

Entering data
TinySheet has some clever, useful methods of entering and editing data, text, and formulas. The cell being edited is displayed in the upper left-hand corner, as is done in most spreadsheets. Of course, standard Graffiti or keyboard peripherals may be used to enter text, but Iambic provides a calculator function that I found quite useful for formula editing and entering. The pop up calculator is accessed via the small calculator icon in the upper right corner, as seen in Figure D.

FIGURE D

The pop up calculator is accessed via the small calculator icon in the upper right corner.

This was my favorite feature of the program. I found this a very efficient way to enter mathematical formulas. According to Iambic's documentation, the program also accepts data entry from scanned bar code data using Symbol Palm OS devices such as the SPT 1500 and SPT 1700. After selecting the cell to begin entering data into, the barcode is scanned and TinySheet enters the number associated with the bar code and moves down to the next row. I didn't have a compatible device available, so I was unable to add data this way. I do see this as a feature that would be valuable in the enterprise space, however. In fact, that is one of the features that interested me in TinySheet. This would seem a very useful feature as a quick off-the-shelf solution for acquiring a list of materials or products at a remote facility, customer location, construction site, or similar situations.