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Lotus 1-2-3 Day

On Lotus 1-2-3 Day, let's honor the groundbreaking spreadsheet software that revolutionized data management and analysis!

Tuesday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJanuary 26

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYTech

SUBCATEGORYSoftware

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for January 26 because it's Lotus 1-2-3 Day! This day celebrates the release of one of the first spreadsheet software programs, which revolutionized the way businesses and individuals organize and analyze data. Created by Lotus Software in 1983, Lotus 1-2-3 quickly became a popular tool for accountants, analysts, and anyone who needed to crunch numbers. Despite being overshadowed by newer software programs today, Lotus 1-2-3 still holds a special place in the hearts of many tech enthusiasts. So let's take a moment to appreciate this groundbreaking program and all it has done for us on its special day!

TIMELINE

Lotus 1-2-3 Day Timeline

Lotus 1-2-3 Launch

The Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program is launched by Lotus Software in January, leading a new era of data management.

Lotus 1-2-3 Upgraded

Lotus Software releases version 2.0 of Lotus 1-2-3, which includes graphic and database capabilities.

IBM Acquires Lotus

IBM acquires Lotus Development Corporation, becoming the custodian of Lotus 1-2-3 and enhancing its enterprise software portfolio.

Lotus 1-2-3 Millennium Edition

The Millennium Edition of Lotus 1-2-3 is launched, offering improved features and compatibility with other IBM software.

Last Standalone Release

Lotus releases the last standalone version of Lotus 1-2-3, which is eventually superseded by IBM's Lotus SmartSuite package.

End of Support

IBM announces the end of support for Lotus 1-2-3, marking the end of an era for the iconic spreadsheet software.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Lotus 1-2-3 Day

Create a Lotus 1-2-3 themed party

Get creative and plan a party with decorations, food and drinks all inspired by the iconic spreadsheet software. You can even have a Lotus 1-2-3 cake made or serve Lotus-shaped snacks.

TAKE

Take an Excel vs. Lotus 1-2-3 challenge

Gather some friends or colleagues who are familiar with both Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 and have a friendly competition to see which spreadsheet software is better.

LEARN

Learn to use Lotus 1-2-3

If you've never used Lotus 1-2-3 before, take this opportunity to learn how to use it. You can find online tutorials or even enroll in a course to fully understand the capabilities of this software.

Share your favorite Lotus 1-2-3 memories

Post on social media or share with friends and colleagues your favorite memories or experiences using Lotus 1-2-3. It's a great way to reminisce and connect with others who have also used the software.

CELEBRATE

Celebrate with a Lotus 1-2-3 cake

Order or bake a special Lotus 1-2-3 themed cake to enjoy on this day. It's the perfect way to celebrate and indulge in some delicious treats.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Lotus 1-2-3 Day

It simplified complex tasks

Before Lotus 1-2-3, creating spreadsheets involved long hours of manual calculations and formatting. Lotus made it easier and more efficient to organize and manipulate large amounts of data, saving users time and effort. It helped make data analysis more accessible to everyone, not just financial experts.

It revolutionized the spreadsheet software industry

Lotus 1-2-3 was one of the first programs to combine the abilities of a word processor, spreadsheet, and database management. It completely changed how businesses and individuals managed their data and calculations, paving the way for modern spreadsheet software.

It's had a lasting impact on technology

Lotus 1-2-3 set the standard for spreadsheet software and inspired other companies to create similar programs. Its interface and features became the basis for Excel and other popular spreadsheet programs used today. Without Lotus 1-2-3, our technological landscape may look very different.