Gnumeric is a spreadsheet-like platform, completely free, which replaces other more famous systems, among which we can find the classic Excel and even OpenOffice.org Calc or LibreOffice Calc. Thanks to this system, we can make many modifications to our files while its interface remains similar to the previous apps to make it easy to interpret.

Gnumeric is part of the desktop environment GNOME and adds the main features that we are used to seeing in this type of program, among which we can mention, for example, the insertion of all the contents that we consider important, such as diagrams, images, comments, and other objects that could have an additional value, beyond the classic frame system of these tools.

However, this utility stands out in adding many elements that are not always available in the others, such as enjoying its pre-designed templates, samples, percentages of operations, and many others. The enormous customization capacity of each of its contents is undoubtedly the main reason to recommend installing this platform.

Even its compatibility with files that have been developed with Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, OpenOffice.org, LibreOffice.org, Quattro Pro, StarOffice, and others is absolute since you will be able to open them without any inconvenience or the need to install complements or other supporting software.

Of course, you have to consider that the native format of all the files we create and save with Gnumeric is XML, so if you want to open them in other systems, you may need to save them in theirs or look for a format converter program. Originally, this system exported its contents compressed in GZIP, although we can also export in HTML or comma-separated text.

As for its interface, as you can see in the images accompanying the description, there are hardly any differences concerning Excel or other known programs in the segment since basically everything has to do with spreadsheets. It was easy for us to locate most of the important functions of this platform, and we are sure that if you have used a similar program before, the same will be true for you.

To unleash the power of this utility, the first thing to do is to start filling in the different cells of these spreadsheets and right-click on each one of them or go to the menu bar at the top of the program to see the huge amount of objects and elements that we can add to make our user experience much more complete.

Another interesting detail of this service is related to its add-ons, which are essential to transform our user experience into the one we want from a malleable system. You will see that in its Complements section, you will find many added functions that you can activate or deactivate whenever you want, significantly improving its usefulness.

This application also has a function that allows you to protect some of the cells so that if we work on a shared computer, we can be sure that no one will get their hands on our files. Whenever you want, you can unlock or unprotect these cells with the same ease with which you had previously locked them.

Even though we have no way of verifying this, it must be said that its developers claim that Gnumeric has up to 154 functions that are not available in spreadsheet programs. However, we can say that we have seen several previously unknown options, and that is appreciated.

Then, once you have finished your work on any file or spreadsheet, you have to know that printing from this program is extremely simple since all you have to do is use the buttons on the Toolbar. There, from File , Print , you can send your current content to the designated printer. Of course, the same is true from Save if you want to store the file for use at a later time.

By way of summary, and if we had to highlight the main strengths of Gnumeric, we would have to point out in the first instance that it is as easy to use as the reference programs in the same field. Then, it supports without problems the usual formats of Excel and others, and in the third instance, we can customize its use as we like, thanks to the huge number of add-ins it offers.

Without major flaws in our tests, we must say that this utility has behaved perfectly, allowing us to open all the files created with Excel on the computer and make every modification we tried. Then, we have not had any problems such as forced closures or screen freezes, so if you liked its description, you should try it.