Excel 2008 12.0.1 (Microsoft)

Excel is still a strong presence in the spreadsheet world. A standard, it still does not offer features found in other spreadsheets, e.g., large number of rows and columns and "3-dimensionality" (so-called multidimensional spreadsheets).

Statistics and charts (add-ins) for Excel:

1. •XLSTAT 2008.6
   

2. •DataDesk/XL (Data Description Inc.)
   

3. •StatPlus 4.8 (AnalystSoft)
   

4. •Viz!on (Data Description Inc.): works in Classic mode only
   

KSpread 1.6.3 (the KOffice Project)

KSpread is a scriptable spreadsheet. Important note: It is a Unix application, running in X11. From the site: "KSpread is a scriptable spreadsheet program which provides both table-oriented sheets and support for complex mathematical formulas and statistics."

Mariner Calc 5.6 (Mariner Software)

Multidimensional spreadsheet. Elegant, powerful, can handle large data sets easily. In desperate need to find a replacement to Excel, Mariner Calc did the job for me. To be honest, I debated long and hard between Mariner and Mesa (see below). Both are doing a quite reasonable job at converting Excel files, and both handle most of the crucial functions available in Excel. Mesa has the advantage of being Cocoa, but we can't overlook the importance of Carbon applications (Mariner Calc) in a work environment that still includes older Macs with older operating systems (pre-OS X). I suggest trying the demos for both Mariner and Mesa before deciding on one over the other.

Mesa 3.1 (P & L Software)

Fairly basic although elegant spreadsheet. A choice between Mariner and Mesa may not be easy though. Both have their strengths and weaknesses (see the comments for Mariner above). From the web site: "Mesa is a traditional spreadsheet which combines a powerful yet easy-to-use icon-based interface with the features you expect from a 1-2-3- and Excel-compatible product. Whether you want a simple single-worksheet budget, a multi-worksheet consolidation, simple printouts or complex reports with charts, Mesa will do the job -- fast! And it's a Cocoa application."

NeoOffice 2.2.4 (Planamesa Software; Patrick Luby & Edward Peterlin)

Based on OpenOffice 2.2. Now with an Aqua interface!

Numbers 1.0.2 (Apple)

Apple’s new spreadsheet, part of iWork ’08.

OpenOffice CALC 2.4 (OpenOffice.org)

If you are looking for a Microsoft Office replacement, this may be your only option after NeoOffice.

Quantrix Modeler 3.0 (Quantrix)

From the site: " Quantrix delivers financial and quantitative modeling software for professionals pushing the limits of traditional spreadsheets. Through intuitive architecture and a powerful multidimensional calculation engine, Quantrix software enables users to reach new levels of business and analytic insight."

RagTime X 6.0 (B & E Software / ComGrafix)

RagTime is an office suite that includes a multidimensional spreadsheet.

Tables 1.4.5 (Daniel Schwill)

From the site: “With Tables you can not only organise data but also calculate and compare them, too. Add, sum or multiply numbers or process data by using various functions. Data can not only represent numbers but a date or an amount, too. Tables offer extensive options to format the data. Format them as currency, as an amount, as percentage rates, scientifically or with different date formats. Create optical attractive invoices, lists or reports and even add some photos and PDF documents to present your data with a great visual impact. You can create your own named styles in Tables to quickly assign the same formatting properties to other cells and also receive a uniform look for your document.”

TableX 1.1 (FatStreetSoftware)

From the site: "TableX is a maintenance and management spreadsheet application. Basically TableX is able to gather everything that can be managed in a table or list. Moreover it contains comfortable search capabilities plus a browse mode."

ThinkFree Calc 3.2 (ThinkFree)

Java-based office suite for Mac OS X, part of ThinkFree Office. Compatible with Microsoft Office. ThinkFree's performance will greatly depend on how well your computer and system version handle Java applications. Thinkfree is very much a "bare minimum" version of Word and compatibility is not 100%. Some more complex formatting is often lost in the translation of files. Still, the price is unbeatable.