School districts prepare annual budgets in order to have adequate funding available for their operations. Today's budgets require flexibility and adaptability as school-district finances and governmental regulations and guidelines change. This article discusses several types of budgets and budget preparation that utilize microcomputer technology. The formats include the line-item program, performance, and zero-base-budget arrangements. The newsletter briefly describes the development of microcomputer electronic spreadsheet programs and details how to set up a budget spreadsheet template using Lotus 1-2-3 software. The electronic spreadsheet is able to provide financial summaries, inventory-control listings, scheduling, staff and financial projections, and percentage allocation of resources. Individual modifications can easily be made as budgetary situations change and the electronic spreadsheet information is updated. One table depicts the segments of a budget-spreadsheet template. (LMI)