sc-im is a terminal-based spreadsheet calculator that runs in ncurses with vim-like editing commands.
The tool addresses the need for a lightweight, keyboard-driven spreadsheet application accessible from the command line. It builds on the original sc spreadsheet calculator, adding vim movement commands for cell navigation and editing, undo/redo functionality, and support for multiple file formats including CSV, tab-delimited, XLSX, ODS, and Markdown export. The spreadsheet supports up to 65,536 rows and 702 columns, with the option to expand further. Beyond basic spreadsheet operations, it includes features like cell formatting with colors and styles, row sorting and filtering, subtotals, clipboard integration, GNUPlot interaction for graphing, and Lua scripting with triggers and dynamic module loading.
sc-im suits developers and power users who prefer terminal-based workflows and are comfortable with vim keybindings. It works well for data analysis, quick calculations, and automation tasks where a graphical spreadsheet would be overkill. The tool's wide character support makes it accessible across multiple languages and alphabets. Those accustomed to traditional spreadsheet applications like Excel or LibreOffice Calc should expect a different interaction model centered on keyboard commands rather than mouse-driven menus.
Development activity shows sustained maintenance with ongoing feature additions and bug fixes. The project maintains backward compatibility with the original sc format while expanding capabilities through optional dependencies for advanced features like XLSX support and Lua scripting. The codebase remains focused on core spreadsheet functionality without unnecessary bloat, and the tool can operate non-interactively as a calculator driven by external scripts.
