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Lotus 1-2-3

A spreadsheet that became the first killer application of the IBM PC and the business standard of the 1980s.

Lotus Development Corporation released Lotus 1-2-3, later part of IBM. It combined spreadsheet calculations, database functions and charts, which gave it the name 1-2-3.

VisiCalc was slow to respond when IBM entered the market. Lotus 1-2-3 quickly overtook VisiCalc and two other competitors, Multiplan and SuperCalc.

Why it matters

Lotus 1-2-3 was the first killer application of the IBM PC. It significantly contributed to the success of IBM PC-compatibles in the business market and was the standard spreadsheet through the 1980s.

Key facts

  • Made by Lotus Development Corporation.
  • Combined spreadsheet, database and charts.
  • First killer application of the IBM PC.
  • Overtook VisiCalc.
  • Standard spreadsheet through the 1980s.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Lotus 1-2-3", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_1-2-3, accessed October 14, 2026.
  2. Wikipedia, "Spreadsheet", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spreadsheet, background reading, accessed October 14, 2026.