PDA compatibility with Windows

Hi-

I'm developing a software application but have little IT knowledge so I'm hoping if someone could just answer two (basic?) questions:
1. Can Palm OS store inputted data in a spreadsheet format on their PDAs for download to Windows OS (i.e. laptop/ desktop) and MS Excel to analyse further?
2. Why does most PDA software not involve connection with PCs (but instead is 'stand alone' software)- surely the greater processing power and memory storage of PCs would make this a useful feature?
I'd be grateful for any help.