---
name: "xspread"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "xspread"
version: "3.1.1c-9"
release: "Debian 2.2 (Potato)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xspread"
---

# xspread(1)

X Windows spreadsheet

## NAME

xspread - X Windows spreadsheet

## COMMAND LINE

xspread \[-c\] \[-C\] \[-h\] \[-m\] \[-n\] \[-N\] \[-r\] \[-R\] \[-x\] \[-X\] \[-bg Color\]  \[-fg Color\] \[-fn font\] \[ *file* \]

## SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

    The program xspread is a public domain spreadsheet which runs under X  Windows or ascii terminals. Xspread uses the X Window system if available or curses and term\[cap/info\] for ascii displays.

**Xspread Reference Manual** gives complete documentation for the program.  The LaTeX source copy for this manual is in the file xspread.tex.

    Xspread supports many standard spreadsheet features.  \
     Among these are:\
     \* Cell entry and editing.\
     \* Worksheet size:  702 columns by unlimited rows.\
     \* File reading and writing.\
     \* File encryption.\
     \* Absolute and relative cell references.\
     \* Numeric and label (i.e.character string) data in \
       cells.\
     \* Left or right justification for labels.\
     \* Row and column insertion and deletion.\
     \* Hiding and unhiding of rows and columns.\
     \* Range names.\
     \* Manual or automatic recalculation.\
     \* Numeric operators (+, -, \*, /, ^(exponentiation), \
       %(remaindering))\
     \* Relational operators (\<, \<=, \>, \>=, =, !=(not equal))\
     \* Logical (or, Boolean) operators (&(and), \|(or), \
       \~(not))\
     \* Function references.\
     \* Graphs (XY, Bar, Stack Bar, Pie and Line graphs)\
     \* Matrix Operations (Transpose, Multiply, Add, Subtract\
       and Inversion)\
     \* Cursor positioning with mouse\
     \* Menu item selection with mouse\
     \* References to external programs.  These are called \
       external functions.

    The structure and operation of the spreadsheet is similar to but not  identical with popular spreadsheets such as Lotus 1-2-3 and its clones.  Like  other spreadsheets, the workspace is arranged into rows and columns of cells.   Each cell can contain a number, a label (i.e. character string), or a formula  which evaluates to a number or label.

    You can start the program with or without specifying a file to be read in.   This file must be a saved worksheet.  If a file is specified on the command  line, xspread attempts to locate and read in the file.  If it is successful,  xspread starts with the file's contents in the workspace.  If it is  unsuccessful or no file is specified on the command line, xspread starts with  the workspace empty.

    For a tutorial of the spreadsheet program, run one of the demo files: demo, demo\_math, demo\_matrix, see the file Sample\_Run in the  doc directory.

## Options

- \-bg Color

  Set the X11 background color.

- \-c

  Recalculation is done in column order.  When xspread recalculates, it will  start at the top of the leftmost column, and recalculate the all the cells  from top to bottom.  Then, it will recalculate the next column in the same  order.  It will continue in this fashion until it has recalculated the  rightmost column. Xspread does NOT support natural order recalculation.

  Default:  Row order recalculation.

- \-C

  Action on newline. When set, each time you press return (newline) the data cursor will move down columns (go down).

  Default:  No motion (see also -R)

- \-fg Color

  Set the X11 foreground color.

- \-fn Font

  Set the X11 font.

- \-h

  Display command line help.

- \-m

  Start with manual recalculation.  With this option, the spreadsheet will  recalculate values only when the "@" command is used.  With automatic  recalculation, the spreadsheet recalculates values whenever a cells contents  change.

  Default:  Automatic recalculation.

- \-n

  Standard Data entry mode.  In this mode the user must specify if the data entry item is numeric or a label.  To single Xspread that the item is a number, the first character has to be a "=".  To specify that the data is a label, the first character has to be a quote (").

  \* If the first character is a numeral, a "+" sign, or a "-" sign, the cell  contains a number.

  \* If the first character is a greater than sign (\>), less than sign (\<), or  double quote ("), the cell contains a label.

  \* If it is anything else, the character is a command to xspread.

  With standard entry mode, you must use the first character to tell xspread  whether the cell is a number or a label.

  \* If the cell is to be a number, the first character must be an "=" sign.

  \* If the cell is to be a label, the first character must be a double quote  ("), less than sign (\<), or greater than sign (\>).

  Default:  Standard data entry mode.

- \-N

  Don't show the cursor.

  Default:  Show the cursor

- \-r

  Recalculation is done in row order.  When xspread recalculates, it will start  at the left of the topmost row, and recalculate all the cells from left to  right.  Then, it will recalculate the next row in the same order.  It will  continue in this fashion until it has recalculated the bottommost row. Xspread does NOT support natural order recalculation.

  Default:  Row order recalculation.

- \-R

  Action on newline. When set, each time you press return (newline) the data cursor will move across rows (go right).

  Default:  No motion (see also -C)

- \-x

  Use encryption when reading and writing files.

  Default:  Do not use encryption.

- \-X

  Don't use X11 for display, even if you can. Normally Xspread will check if DISPLAY is set in your environment and  then check if that display is usable, if so Xspread will use X11 for display and curses if not.

  Default:  Autodetection of X11.

## SEE ALSO

    [sc(1)](/sc/1.md), [bc(1)](/bc/1.md), [dc(1)](/dc/1.md), [crypt(1)](/crypt/1.md)

## BUGS

    Xspread saves only one value from any call to external functions via  @ext().  If @ext() is used more than once in a spreadsheet and external  functions are enabled and then disabled, the last returned value pops up in  several places.
