Software that you can use to create, organise, and manage a household or business budget by entering numbers into rows and columns is called ________

Introduction / Context:
Budgeting is a common task both at home and in offices. People need a convenient way to list income, expenses and totals, and to adjust figures quickly to see how changes affect their money. Computers make this easier with specialised software. This question asks which category of software is best suited to creating and managing a budget with numbers arranged in rows and columns. Recognising the correct category helps you choose the right tool for tasks involving calculations and tabular data.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The task is to create and manage a budget.
• The user will likely enter numbers, labels and formulas.
• The software should support automatic calculations such as sums and totals.
• The options list common types of application software.

Concept / Approach:
Spreadsheet software is specifically designed for working with data in a grid of rows and columns. Each position in the grid is a cell that can hold numbers, text labels or formulas. Spreadsheets can automatically update calculations when values change, which is ideal for budgets where income or expense figures may be adjusted often. Word processing software is meant for text documents, graphics software for images, and utilities for maintenance tasks such as virus scanning or backup. Therefore spreadsheet software is the most appropriate category for budgeting.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
If you ask office workers or accountants which program they use for budgeting, most will name a spreadsheet program. Templates for personal and business budgets are usually provided as spreadsheet files, not as word processed documents. Training courses on office productivity also teach budgets and financial models in the spreadsheet module. Although databases can store financial records, they are less convenient for quick what if calculations that budgets require. This practical experience and typical usage patterns confirm that spreadsheet software is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Word processing software: Best for writing letters, reports and essays with formatted text, not for dynamic numerical calculations.
• Graphics software: Used to create and edit images, logos and diagrams, not for tabular numeric data.
• Utility software: Includes tools for system maintenance such as antivirus programs and disk cleaners, not budgeting applications.
• Database management software: Good for storing large volumes of structured data, but ordinary users rarely design full databases just for a simple budget.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse spreadsheets with databases because both use tables. The key difference is that spreadsheets are optimised for calculations and what if analysis, while databases are optimised for storing and querying large sets of records. Another mistake is to assume any office software could be used for any office task. While you can type numbers into a word processor, it will not update totals automatically. Remember that whenever you see tasks involving rows, columns, formulas and calculations, spreadsheet software is the natural choice.

Final Answer:
Software used to create and manage a budget is called spreadsheet software.