Software tools
The way to tame your numbers and keep it under control is to use a computer spreadsheet, such as MS Excel or Lotus 1-2-3. These give you worksheets – tables with blank cells, or boxes, into which you type information – that collect together into workbooks.
You do not need to be a spreadsheet wizard. It is enough to know how to:
format a cell so that the layout is pleasing;
enter simple formulas that add, multiply or simply repeat other values.
If you can use the facility to draw charts you are in a strong position. If you are not familiar with spreadsheets, you are certain to have a colleague, friend or relative who loves their computer and will be only too pleased to set this up for you, explain the basic principles and guide you ...
Get Definitive Business Plan, Second Edition, The now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
