tableur
/ta.blœʁ/
The English word spreadsheet is translated into French as tableur. Wiktionary also lists chiffrier.
Meaning: computer application (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tableur | /ta.blœʁ/ | |
| chiffrier | Canada, masculine |
The term refers to a computer application.
Which one should you use?
While tableur refers to the software application itself, the formal expression feuille de calcul (calculation sheet) is used to refer to an individual spreadsheet file or a specific sheet within that program.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec and the rest of Canada, chiffrier is commonly used to mean spreadsheet, whereas tableur is the standard term in France.
How does it change in a sentence?
chiffrier is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ta.blœʁ/
Did you know?
- The word tableur is formed using the suffix -eur, which in French is typically reserved for people's professions, like boulanger for a baker. This makes the software sound like a person whose job is to manage tables.
- The term chiffrier sounds more related to the concept of 'numbers' than 'tables', as it is built from the root for 'digit' or 'number' rather than a grid.
- French technical language often resists using the English word 'spreadsheet' even in professional IT settings, favoring tableur or feuille de calcul to maintain linguistic purity.
Examples in context
- J'ai créé une feuille de calcul pour suivre mes dépenses mensuelles.I created a spreadsheet to track my monthly expenses.
- As-tu mis les données dans le tableau Excel ?Did you enter the data in the Excel spreadsheet?
- J'utilise un tableur pour mes comptes.I use a spreadsheet for my accounts.
- Peux-tu m'envoyer ce tableur par e-mail ?Can you send me this spreadsheet by email?
- Ce tableur contient toutes les données du projet.This spreadsheet contains all the project data.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are working together in an office.
- LéaNathan, as-tu fini de remplir le tableur ?Nathan, have you finished filling out the spreadsheet?
- NathanOui, il est presque prêt.Yes, it is almost ready.
- LéaParfait, je vais l'ouvrir tout de suite.Perfect, I am going to open it right now.
- NathanDis-moi si tu vois une erreur.Tell me if you see an error.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spreadsheet” translations and entries tableur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
