Hash Table Emulator is an interactive macro-enabled spreadsheet model which allows learners to see how a hashing algorithm distributes data records on a hard disc. As the learner enters record key field values, the record appears in the block it is hashed to. Repeat key fields are detected and prevented.

Once a block is full, an overflow pointer is generated, and subsequent records are diverted to the overflow block. This process is repeated if the overflow block itself is filled.

A second tab shows which records have been entered into the file, and also shows which block each record is hashed to and how many records are hashed to each block. This data is also represented in a graph.