An analysis of the relationship between spreadsheet and algebra

In recent times, the spreadsheet has been suggested as a tool to teach algebra in intermediate / high school. Our a-priori analysis of the relationship between spreadsheet and algebra shows the inadequacy of this tool to express the fundamental characteristics of algebra, that is, the manipulation of algebraic variables and relations, which make algebra suitable as a formalism for describing models. However, with the wise guidance of a teacher, the spreadsheet can be a fair introductory tool, since it leads to recognize variables that play a role in a problem and to express part of the relationships among them.