Converting data transformations entered in a spreadsheet program into a circuit representation of those transformations. The circuit representation can run independently of the spreadsheet program to transform input data into output data. In some cases the circuit representation is in the form of hardware, accepts and/or produces data streams, and/or the circuit and/or output data or data streams can be shared among multiple users and/or subscribers. Where data streams are processed, the transformations may include well-specified timing semantics, supporting operations that involve rate-based rate manipulation, value-based rate manipulation, and/or access to past cell values.