A method and system automatically creates and operates a web application from a spreadsheet without the need for specialized programming. The web application includes a guided data entry process created from spreadsheet worksheets. The web application interfaces with a database application, so that model data may be retrieved for analysis. The web application implements the model as a calculator data defining the relationships between the model values. A rendering data defines the appearance of the model values in the web application. A instance data includes the model values for an instance of the web application. A calculation engine calculates model values. A layout engine creates display information from the calculator, rendering, and instance data set. The rendering data includes objects having display methods for creating display information in accordance with its object type. Object types include inputs, outputs, and user interface elements.