A simplified simulation for developing laminar forced flow in the entrance region between two parallel plates is presented. This simulation is based on an implicit finite difference numerical representation of a boundary layer model describing the flow in the entry region. This boundary layer model comprises the two conservation equations of mass and momentum. A non-iterative implicit numerical scheme is developed to convert the partial differential form of these governing equations into algebraic equations. The resultant algebraic equations have been solved simultaneously via a simplified simulation using spreadsheet programs as well as a Fortran code for the sake of comparison. The numerically obtained developing axial velocity profile at large distance downstream of the entrance shows excellent agreement with the available fully developed analytical profile. Comparison between the abilities of the spreadsheet simulation with other high-level programming languages is outlined. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.