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Following the success of Visicalc in the business world, several look-alike spreadsheet programs have appeared. Flexicalc is such a program for the ZX Spectrum.

Spreadsheet programs allow calculations to be made on large amounts of inter-related data, set out as a large electronic chart.

Their power lies in the ability to rapidly recalculate results following changes in some of the data. For example, in making finacial decisions, thus allow "what if...?" - type questions to be answered quickly.

Provided with Flexicalc is an 11-page manual. Generally, this explains the principles and use of the program quite well, but there are some omissions and errors. A worked example would be a great help for the first time user.

Flexicalc has two main advantages over its rivals. It lets the user decide on the number of rows and columns in his spreadsheet, and it allows formulae (as well as data) to be altered at any time.

Its main disadvantage is that it is written entirely in Basic; computations can take minutes on large spreadsheets. Errors in the formulae or in the logic of the spreadsheet could cause the program to stop with a system error message. Make the mistake of restarting with RUN, and all the data is lost.

In common with other spreadsheet programs, data laboriously entered through the keyboard can be saved on tape for future use. Hard copies of results can also be produced on the ZX printer, although the 32-column format only allows small segments to be copied at one time.

As a product intended for a business user, the obviously home-produced cassette insert and label were disappointing.

However, the program does provide all the calculating power that a user might expect from his Spectrum, and forms a reasonable introduction to microcomputer spreadsheet techniques.

D.N.