Spreadsheet: A table of rows and columns, free for the entry of data, or formulae for calculating actions on those data. Each row or column is said to contain many 'cells' and these cells serve as 'homes' for every shred of information.
You could make money doing something you love (or like [or maybe not so much but just really good at]). It's great to see a spreadsheet come together, and usually a lot better than what you originally envisioned. Especially when the dang thing works.
Spreadsheet templates are used for many reasons and each template vary according to the purpose it is used for. Spreadsheets are designed with different calculations depending on various needs.
When VisiCalc hit the scene back in the eighties (in the last century), the relatively small group of Apple II users went crazy. It was like manna from heaven for the poor accountants, scientists and engineers who were used to filling in enormous analysis sheets with a pencil. Now, they could use VisiCalc to do the same task, AND calculate the result automatically.