--- title: "Book Review: “VU-CALC and VU-FILE”" type: "article" slug: "book-review-vu-calc-and-vu-file" url: "http://localhost/article/book-review-vu-calc-and-vu-file/" markdown_url: "http://localhost/article/book-review-vu-calc-and-vu-file.md" published_at: "2025-11-05T19:38:15+00:00" modified_at: "2025-11-05T19:38:16+00:00" featured_image: url: "http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20230809-041332.jpg" excerpt: "One of the best business-oriented programs available for Timex/Sinclair computers is VU-CALC, a spreadsheet program by Timex. Spreadsheets can be utilized in two ways: 1) as a calculation tool, to keep rows and columns of accounting-like figures organized; and 2) as a forecasting tool, to see the results of making changes to those figures (\"What…" category: - name: "T-S Horizons" slug: "t-s-horizons" taxonomy: "category" url: "http://localhost/category/periodicals/t-s-horizons/" post_tag: - name: "Book review" slug: "book-review" taxonomy: "post_tag" url: "http://localhost/tag/book-review/" - name: "TS 1000" slug: "ts1000" taxonomy: "post_tag" url: "http://localhost/tag/ts1000/" model: - name: "Timex/Sinclair 1000" slug: "ts-1000" taxonomy: "model" url: "http://localhost/model/ts-1000/" indiv: - name: "Bill Ferrebee" slug: "bill-ferrebee" taxonomy: "indiv" url: "http://localhost/indiv/bill-ferrebee/" publication_r: id: 10247 title: "T-S Horizons" type: "periodical" url: "http://localhost/periodical/t-s-horizons/" authors_r: - name: "Bill Ferrebee" slug: "bill-ferrebee" taxonomy: "indiv" url: "http://localhost/indiv/bill-ferrebee/" issue: "8" issues_articles: - id: 50945 title: "T-S Horizons n8" type: "issue" url: "http://localhost/issue/t-s-horizons-n/" pages: "24-25" pubdate: "Sept 1984" product_reviews: - id: 12269 title: "Croaka Crawla" type: "product" url: "http://localhost/product/croaka-crawla/" archive_link: false --- # Book Review: “VU-CALC and VU-FILE” One of the best business-oriented programs available for Timex/Sinclair computers is VU-CALC, a spreadsheet program by Timex. Spreadsheets can be utilized in two ways: 1) as a calculation tool, to keep rows and columns of accounting-like figures organized; and 2) as a forecasting tool, to see the results of making changes to those figures (“What If…”). The one drawback with VU-CALC is the sparseness of documentation provided with the program. A foldout sheet is included in the cassette box, but it does not explain the program’s functions in a clear manner. But, a new book has been published that will take one through a step-by-step tour of both VU-CALC and VU-FILE (or “The Organizer”), Timex’s database program. In “VU-CALC and VU-FILE”, Robert Masters give clear explanations of every command available for both programs. He also provides examples of actual applications that can be used almost immediately.