GitHub - garritfra/cell: A terminal spreadsheet editor with Vim keybindings

Source: https://github.com/garritfra/cell

GitHub - garritfra/cell: A terminal spreadsheet editor with Vim keybindings · GitHub

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| Name | Name | Last commit message | Last commit date | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ## Latest commit ## History 165 Commits [](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/commits/main/)165 Commits | | [.claude](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/.claude ".claude") | [.claude](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/.claude ".claude") | | | | [.github](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/.github ".github") | [.github](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/.github ".github") | | | | [assets](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/assets "assets") | [assets](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/assets "assets") | | | | [crates](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/crates "crates") | [crates](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/crates "crates") | | |

| [docs/superpowers](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/docs/superpowers "This path skips through empty directories") | [docs/superpowers](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/docs/superpowers "This path skips through empty directories") | | | | [examples](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/examples "examples") | [examples](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/tree/main/examples "examples") | | | | [.gitignore](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/.gitignore ".gitignore") | [.gitignore](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/.gitignore ".gitignore") | | | | [AGENTS.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/AGENTS.md "AGENTS.md") | [AGENTS.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/AGENTS.md "AGENTS.md") | | | | [BENCH.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/BENCH.md "BENCH.md") | [BENCH.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/BENCH.md "BENCH.md") | | | | [CHANGELOG.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md "CHANGELOG.md") | [CHANGELOG.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md "CHANGELOG.md") | | | | [CLAUDE.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/CLAUDE.md "CLAUDE.md") | [CLAUDE.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/CLAUDE.md "CLAUDE.md") | | | | [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md "CONTRIBUTING.md") | [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md "CONTRIBUTING.md") | | | | [Cargo.lock](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/Cargo.lock "Cargo.lock") | [Cargo.lock](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/Cargo.lock "Cargo.lock") | | | | [Cargo.toml](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/Cargo.toml "Cargo.toml") | [Cargo.toml](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/Cargo.toml "Cargo.toml") | | | | [LICENSE](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/LICENSE "LICENSE") | [LICENSE](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/LICENSE "LICENSE") | | | | [README.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/README.md "README.md") | [README.md](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/README.md "README.md") | | | | View all files |

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- MIT license

cell

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#cell)

A terminal spreadsheet editor with Vim keybindings, written in Rust.

![Image 1: cell screenshot](https://github.com/garritfra/cell/blob/main/assets/cell.png)

Install

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#install)

From crates.io:

undefinedshell cargo install cell-sheet-tui undefined

Pre-built binaries for Linux, macOS, and Windows are available on the GitHub Releases page.

Build from source

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#build-from-source)

undefinedshell git clone https://github.com/garritfra/cell.git cd cell cargo build --release

Binary at target/release/cell

undefined

Usage

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#usage)

undefinedshell cell # empty sheet cell data.csv # open CSV cell data.tsv # open TSV cell sheet.cell # open native format cell data.psv --delimiter '|' # open with a custom field delimiter cat data.csv | cell # read from stdin (pipe input) undefined

To explore an example sheet with formulas, ranges, and IF logic:

undefinedshell cell examples/demo.cell undefined

The CSV/TSV delimiter is auto-detected from file content; pass `--delimiter` to override. The native `.cell` format is auto-detected via its `# cell v` magic header.

Headless mode

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#headless-mode)

For shell pipelines, Makefiles, and CI, `cell` can read from and write to a file without launching the TUI:

undefinedshell cell sales.cell --read A1 # print one cell's computed value cell sales.cell --read B1:B10 # print a range as TSV cell sales.cell --eval '=SUM(B1:B10)' # evaluate a formula (no save) cell sales.cell --write A1 42 # set a cell, recalc, save in place cell sales.cell --write A1 42 --write B1 7 # batch multiple writes into one save cell sales.cell --write Total '=SUM(B:B)' --read Total # write a formula, then print it cat data.csv | cell --read A1 # read from stdin cell data.psv --delimiter '|' --read A1 # custom delimiter undefined

- Cell references are 1-indexed and Excel-style (`A1`, `AA10`, `A1:B3`).

- The `=` prefix on `--eval` is optional.

- Writes whose value starts with `=` are stored as formulas; others are auto-typed (number vs text).

- Operations apply in a fixed order per invocation: writes → save → reads → evals.

- Errors print to stderr; the process exits non-zero on bad refs, parse errors, or missing files.

- Stdin input supports CSV, TSV, and the native `.cell` format. The delimiter is auto-detected; pass `--delimiter` to override (CSV/TSV only). `--write` requires a file argument when reading from stdin.

Keybindings

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#keybindings)

If you know Vim, you know cell.

All motions and operators accept a `[count]` prefix (`5j`, `10G`, `3dd`, `4yy`, `2w`). Counts also work between an operator and its motion (`d3j`, `y2k`); outer and inner counts multiply (`5d2j` clears 10 rows). The in-progress count and operator render in the status line as you type.

Normal Mode

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#normal-mode)

#### Motion

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#motion)

| Key | Action | | --- | --- | | `h``j``k``l` | Move cursor (one cell) | | `gg` | First row (or row N with `[count]gg`) | | `G` | Last row (or row N with `[count]G`) | | `0` | First column | | `$` | Last column | | `w` / `b` | Next / previous non-empty cell in row | | `Ctrl-D` / `Ctrl-U` | Half-page down / up | | `Ctrl-F` / `Ctrl-B` | Full page down / up | | `{` / `}` | Previous / next block boundary in column | | `H` / `M` / `L` | Cursor to top / middle / bottom of viewport | | `zz` / `zt` / `zb` | Recenter / scroll-to-top / scroll-to-bottom around cursor | | `Ctrl-e` / `Ctrl-y` | Scroll viewport one row without moving cursor | | `Ctrl-o` / `Ctrl-i` (or Tab) | Jump back / forward in jump list |

#### Marks

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#marks)

| Key | Action | | --- | --- | | `m{a-z}` | Set mark at cursor | | `'{a-z}` | Jump to marked row (column 0) | | ``{a-z}` | Jump to exact marked cell |

#### Editing

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#editing)

| Key | Action | | --- | --- | | `i` / `a` / `Enter` | Edit cell (Insert mode) | | `x` | Clear cell | | `dd` | Delete row (`[count]dd` for N rows) | | `d{motion}` | Clear cells along motion (`dj`, `d3l`, `dh`, `dk`) | | `yy` | Yank row (`[count]yy` for N rows) | | `y{motion}` | Yank cells along motion (`yj`, `y3l`, `yh`, `yk`) | | `p` / `P` | Paste below / above | | `Ctrl-A` / `Ctrl-X` | Increment / decrement number in cell (`[count]` accepted) | | `~` | Toggle case of first character, advance cursor | | `guu` / `gUU` | Lowercase / uppercase entire cell | | `g~~` | Toggle case of every character in cell | | `.` | Repeat last change | | `u` | Undo | | `Ctrl-R` | Redo |

#### Selection & search

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#selection--search)

| Key | Action | | --- | --- | | `v` | Visual selection | | `V` | Visual line (full-row) selection | | `Ctrl-V` | Visual block selection | | `gv` | Re-enter previous visual selection | | `/` / `?` | Search forward / backward (incremental) | | `n` / `N` | Next / previous match | | `*` / `#` | Search for current cell's value forward / backward | | `f<char>` / `F<char>` | Jump to next / prev cell in row starting with `<char>` | | `;` / `,` | Repeat last `f`/`F` (same / reversed direction) | | `:` | Command mode |

Insert Mode

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#insert-mode)

Type to edit the cell. `ESC` or `Enter` confirms. Arrow keys, `Home`, `End`, `Backspace`, and `Delete` work as expected within the cell.

Visual Mode

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#visual-mode)

Extend the selection with `hjkl` (or `[count]j` etc.), then:

| Key | Action | | --- | --- | | `y` | Yank selection | | `d` | Delete selection | | `c` | Change selection (clear and enter Insert mode) | | `u` / `U` / `~` | Lowercase / uppercase / toggle case of selection (formula cells skipped) | | `Esc` | Cancel selection |

Commands

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#commands)

| Command | Action | | --- | --- | | `:w` | Save | | `:w file.csv` | Save as CSV | | `:w file.cell` | Save as native format | | `:w!` | Force save (flatten formulas, override warnings) | | `:q` | Quit | | `:q!` | Quit without saving | | `:wq` | Save and quit | | `:e file` | Open file | | `:sort A asc` | Sort by column A ascending | | `:sort B desc` | Sort by column B descending | | `:set delimiter=|` | Change CSV/TSV delimiter for the next save | | `:help` / `:help <topic>` | Open the in-app help screen / jump to a topic |

In the `:` prompt, `↑` / `↓` cycle through previously executed commands.

Formulas

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#formulas)

Formulas start with `=` and support Excel-compatible syntax:

``` =A1+B1 =SUM(A1:A10) =AVERAGE(B1:B5) =IF(A1>100, "high", "low") ```

Supported Functions (v1)

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#supported-functions-v1)

`SUM`, `AVERAGE`, `COUNT`, `MIN`, `MAX`, `IF`

Formula compliance with the ODF (OpenDocument Formula) spec is tracked and will expand over time.

File Formats

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#file-formats)

- **CSV/TSV** -- Opens and saves standard comma/tab-separated files. Formulas are flattened to their computed values on CSV export.

- `**.cell`** -- Native format that preserves formulas. Plain text, human-readable, inspired by sc-im.

When saving a CSV that contains formulas, cell warns you and suggests saving as `.cell` instead. Use `:w!` to force a CSV save.

Comparison with sc-im

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#comparison-with-sc-im)

sc-im is a battle-tested terminal spreadsheet built on the classic `sc` (Spreadsheet Calculator, 1981). It inspired cell's native `.cell` format. Here's how the two tools compare:

| | cell | sc-im | | --- | --- | --- | | **Language / TUI** | Rust + ratatui | C + ncurses | | **Editing model** | True Vim modal editing (`i` → Insert, `ESC` → Normal) | Vim-inspired navigation; `=` to enter a value, `e`/`E` to edit | | **Formula syntax** | Excel-compatible (`=SUM(A1:A10)`, `=IF(...)`) | `@`-prefix style (`@sum(A1:A10)`, `@avg(...)`) | | **Built-in functions** | SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX, IF | Extensive (@sum, @avg, @min, @max, @abs, @sqrt, ...) | | **File formats** | CSV, TSV, `.cell` | CSV, TSV, XLSX/XLS/ODS import, Markdown export, `.sc` | | **Cell formatting** | not yet | Bold, italic, underline, RGB colors | | **Scripting** | Headless CLI mode (`--read` / `--write` / `--eval`, stdin pipe) | Lua scripting, external C modules, non-interactive mode | | **Charting** | not yet | GNUPlot integration | | **Windows support** | ✓ (pre-built binaries) | Limited | | **Clipboard** | Built-in | Requires tmux / xclip / pbpaste | | **Config file** | not yet | `~/.config/sc-im/scimrc` |

Choose cell if…

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#choose-cell-if)

- You want editing that works exactly like Vim (`i` to insert, `ESC` to return, `/` to search)

- You prefer Excel-compatible formula syntax (`=SUM`, `=IF`, `=AVERAGE`)

- You need a working binary on Windows without extra setup

- You value a modern, memory-safe codebase with minimal dependencies

Choose sc-im if…

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#choose-sc-im-if)

- You need XLSX, ODS, or Markdown support right now

- You need Lua scripting or GNUPlot charting right now

- You need cell-level formatting (colors, bold, italic) right now

- You want a highly configurable, feature-rich tool with decades of history behind it

Architecture

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#architecture)

``` cell/ crates/ cell-sheet-core/ # Data model, formula engine, file I/O (no TUI dependency) cell-sheet-tui/ # Ratatui rendering, Vim modes, event loop ```

The core library is independent of the terminal UI and can be tested without a terminal.

Releasing

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#releasing)

1. Update the version in `Cargo.toml` (workspace version) 2. Update `CHANGELOG.md` with the new version's changes 3. Commit: `git commit -am "release: bump to vX.Y.Z"` 4. Tag and push:

undefinedshell git tag vX.Y.Z git push origin main --tags undefined

Pushing a `v*` tag triggers the release workflow, which:

- Builds binaries for Linux (x86_64, aarch64), macOS (x86_64, aarch64), and Windows (x86_64)

- Creates a GitHub Release with the binaries attached

- Publishes `cell-sheet-core` and `cell-sheet-tui` to crates.io via trusted publishing

Contributing

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#contributing)

Contributions are welcome. See CONTRIBUTING.md for the development setup, project conventions, and pull request workflow.

License

[](https://github.com/garritfra/cell#license)

MIT

About

A terminal spreadsheet editor with Vim keybindings

Topics

[vim](https://github.com/topics/vim "Topic: vim")[rust](https://github.com/topics/rust "Topic: rust")[spreadsheet](https://github.com/topics/spreadsheet "Topic: spreadsheet")[spreadsheets](https://github.com/topics/spreadsheets "Topic: spreadsheets")