Interesting idea. I wonder if anyone has created a 3D type spreadsheet, where you make calculations across different x,y,z planes. I suppose you could do this now with a standard 2d speadsheet, but it would require a lot of finagling.
Here is a demonstration video I found about it
If you're not aware, excel has something similar to the formula system if you use tables, and in combination with LET and LAMBDA it's also pretty pleasant.
I've got the rest of the video to watch, but thanks for your comment!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rgGmKD87U3M
Another innovative but forgotten piece of “better than spreadsheet” software is Javelin PLUS.
That said, you're right that it can be done with modern spreadsheets. It doesn't even require that much finagling:
https://www.pcworld.com/article/439501/how-to-create-3d-work...
The following link seems to confirm this :
https://www.kstreetstudio.com/science/sams/qpro/concept.html
Try it in your browser: https://microsoft.github.io/SandDance/app/