Plastron Wiki
Overview
'Plastron' is an open-source spreadsheet application contained within a single 'index.html' file. Running entirely locally, offline, and free without a build, server, or installation, it grows from a single initial cel (元) generating a readme DOM element. Users can create sheets using formulas like =cels(8, 5), utilising the browser's native capabilities for JS, WASM, SQLite, and the filesystem API. Code is MIT licensed: GitHub Repository. A vestigial stub exists at plastron.ca/os/ where you can play free Doom, and an Instagram link is shared: Instagram Reel.
Problem it solves
Traditional spreadsheets require complex rewrites into 'real applications' (frameworks, backends, deployments) and IT licensing battles when transitioning into functional apps. 'Plastron' solves this by turning 'index.html' into a complete UI, file, and database system, enabling users to easily share applications via simple formulas. Examples include animation rendering:
| =cels( "anim", 2, 1, at("a1", "=def(\"ball\", \"js\", \"i => [30+280Math.abs((i/20)%2-1), 30+200Math.abs((i/14)%2-1)]\")"), at("a2", "=simulate(\"ball\", 120)") ) |
Warning of things it does not do
The project is in its early stages and contains bugs. It currently lacks version control, '.xlsx' import/export capabilities, and the traditional Excel formula set. Benchmark data compared against krausests library (Hacker News Item) shows development progress across initial (PR 2015) and modest improvement passes (PR 2029).
Special thanks section
- @1v100000, @mynamebedan, @lionkimbro for ill-advised encouragement.
- Reichart Von Wolfsheild @Ki_fun_thoughts for entertaining conversations about what thought bubbles of Spider-Man would look like in a more perfect world.
- Claude and Grok, who laboured with this prompt: 'make me a spreadsheet... masterpiece'.