Lotus 1-2-3 Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Educational Technology Work
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every January 26
Holiday emoji:: 📊

Lotus 1-2-3 Day celebrates the release of the iconic spreadsheet software every January 26. This day honors the program that transformed personal computing and paved the way for modern productivity tools. Reflect on its legacy, explore its historical impact, and appreciate the evolution of digital spreadsheets.

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Expected Lotus 1-2-3 Day Deals

While direct promotions for Lotus 1-2-3 are historical, the day inspires deals on modern productivity software and educational resources. Look for discounts on spreadsheet courses from platforms like Coursera or Udemy. Software companies such as Microsoft (Excel) and Google (Sheets) may offer limited-time trials or premium feature access. Retailers like Best Buy often feature sales on new laptops bundled with productivity suites. Even vintage software collectors might find rare copies on sites like eBay. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 26 approaches.

Platform Guide for Lotus 1-2-3 Day

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #Lotus123Day. Share your favorite productivity tips or insights on tech history.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #Lotus123Day. Tweet about the impact of early spreadsheet software or share a fun tech fact.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Watch retrospectives on classic software or tutorials on modern spreadsheet features.

Lotus 1-2-3 Day Hero

Mitch Kapor

Mitch Kapor co-founded Lotus Development Corporation in 1982 and was the principal designer of Lotus 1-2-3. His vision for an integrated spreadsheet, database, and graphics program revolutionized business computing. Kapor later became a significant figure in the open-source software movement and internet activism, influencing the digital landscape beyond spreadsheets.

History of Lotus 1-2-3 Day

In the 1970s, when people wanted to calculate anything big (like office expenses, etc.), they had to rely on big pieces of paper — literally, ‘spreadsheets.’ Then, in the 1980s, a program called VisiCalc came along. It made number-crunching very easy and took its host computer, the Apple II series, to the top of the personal computer charts. Back then, all computer systems had a ‘killer app’ that made the whole system worth buying.

In this same period, two guys Mitchell Kapor and Jonathan Sachs, launched the Lotus Development Corporation. They developed an IBM P.C., and then our hero — the Lotus 1-2-3. Taking computing one step further, the Lotus 1-2-3 was a three-in-one tool that combined spreadsheet, charting, and basic database functionality – hence the name.

While the Lotus 1-2-3 was similar to the VisiCalc, it was much faster, boasted better features, and let people multitask. This allowed Lotus 1-2-3 to become the undominated market leader, which, of course, took IBM to the top too.
The company made a killing thanks to their ‘killer app’, bringing in a net worth of $150M in their first year itself, which increased to $156.9M by the next year.

A year later, Lotus 1-2-3 was bumped out of the top position by a program that became a household name — Microsoft Excel. By the 1990s, Lotus 1-2-3 was third on the list of topmost spreadsheet programs, and it was relegated into oblivion over the years.

Almost 30 years later, in 2012, IBM — which had taken over Lotus — announced they were retiring the Lotus brand. Lotus 1-2-3, the Lotus brand’s core product, was retired in 2013.

Lotus 1-2-3 Day timeline

1979

The Spreadsheet Is 'Invented'

The creators of VisiCalc, Dan Bricklin, and Bob Frankston, create the first spreadsheet.

1983

A (Spreadsheet) Leader Is Born

Mitchell Kapor creates and releases Lotus 1-2-3 for $495.

1985

Excel Is Released

The first Microsoft Excel program makes a debut in the Mac market, knocking Lotus 1-2-3 off its pedestal.

2014

Lotus 1-2-3 Retires

IBM discontinues customer support for the Lotus brand, including the core product, Lotus 1-2-3.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Lotus 1-2-3 Day

Businesses can celebrate Lotus 1-2-3 Day by recognizing the evolution of productivity tools and investing in employee training. Offer internal workshops on advanced spreadsheet functions or highlight historical tech milestones in company communications. Consider a ‘throwback’ day where employees share their earliest computing memories. Tech companies could host discussions on the future of data management, while software developers might offer special deals on their own productivity applications.

Lotus 1-2-3 Day FAQs

When is Lotus 1-2-3 Day?

In 2027, Lotus 1-2-3 Day is observed on Tuesday, January 26, marking another year to honor the program that revolutionized how businesses handled data and calculations.

What was the impact of Lotus 1-2-3?

At its peak, Lotus 1-2-3 held an estimated 70% market share in the spreadsheet category, fundamentally changing how individuals and businesses approached data analysis and financial modeling.

Why was Lotus 1-2-3 so popular?

Its innovative design, particularly its macro capabilities and ability to run on early IBM PCs, made it indispensable for businesses. It offered a significant leap in productivity compared to its predecessors.

How did Lotus 1-2-3 compare to Microsoft Excel?

While Lotus 1-2-3 pioneered the integrated spreadsheet concept, Excel’s adaptability to the evolving Windows platform and its richer feature set ultimately led to its widespread adoption, making it the industry standard.

How to Celebrate Lotus 1-2-3 Day

Celebrate the Lotus 1-2-3
You don't have to break out an old 1980s computer to run a program that has been discontinued. Instead, check out old videos of the Lotus 1-2-3 marketing campaigns, read up about this program, and check out how this one program influenced the trajectory of the spreadsheet world.
Celebrate spreadsheets
Make spreadsheets fun by putting down a list of books to read or movies to watch. Use them for a bit of organization (budgeting, grocery shopping, e.t.c.). Or simply use it to keep track of important days.
Throw Lotus 1-2-3 a birthday party
Maybe you can rustle up a computer from that period, or maybe not. Don't let that stop you from organizing an 80s-themed party, complete with tech-y decorations.

Fun Facts About Mitchell Kapor

Mitchell Kapor and VisiCalc
The founder of Lotus was a friend of its rival program's (VisiCalc) developers.
Kapor is a marketing guru
His ability to 'speak' to non-technical users contributed greatly to Lotus 1-2-3's popularity.
He relied on group feedback
Unlike most technologists of his time, Kapor used focus group feedback to cater his user instructions for a larger group of people.
Founding chair of the Mozilla Foundation
In 2003, Kapor became founding chair for the company that created the Firefox browser.
He attended Wikimania in 2005
The Wikimedia movement's annual conference — Wikimania — had a famous supporter that year.

Why We Love Lotus 1-2-3 Day

We love a good dose of nostalgia
This is exactly what the 30+-year-old software/spreadsheet brings us.
We also love tech
And we are seeing how technology and innovation have changed our world since Lotus 1-2-3's invention makes us marvel at what the future holds.
It makes us love current tech more
We are so thankful, even as we fire up Google Docs or Excel today, what the world would have been like had Jonathan Sacks not written the program for a spreadsheet? Would we still be counting on actual paper? Or would another invention have swept the PC world off its feet?