XL5 AppNote: Upgrade and Setup Questions and Answers (WE0922)

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

SUMMARY

Following is the complete text for the FastTip for Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for Windows. It contains the commonly asked questions and answers about upgrade and setup.

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  Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
            WE0922: UPGRADE AND SETUP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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                                                  Revision Date: 12/93
                                                      No Disk Included

The following information applies to Microsoft Excel, version 5.0.

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|                                                                    |
| Copyright (C) 1993 Microsoft Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.    |
| Microsoft, Microsoft Access, MS-DOS, Multiplan, PowerPoint, and    |
| Visual Basic are registered trademarks and                         |
| AutoSum, IntelliSense, PivotTable, TipWizard, Windows, and Windows |
| NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.                        |
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1. Q. What are the new features in Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for Windows?
   
   A. Microsoft Excel version 5.0 sets a new standard for spreadsheets. Built-in intelligence and innovative features let you focus on your analysis, not your data. And rich, custom- development tools help you build the solutions you want. It all adds up to an intelligent spreadsheet that works the way it should--the way you want.
   
   Microsoft Excel is the spreadsheet that works the way you want to, so your work is easier. That's because as a member of the Microsoft Office family of programs, Microsoft Excel features IntelliSense(TM) technology: built-in intelligence that senses what you want to do and helps you do it--so routine tasks are automatic and complex jobs are easier. IntelliSense redefines ease of use with automatic features and wizards that step you through tasks. And if there's a more effective way of working, Microsoft Excel even suggests tips through the revolutionary new TipWizard(TM) assistant to save you time and expand your knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
   
   You'll also find that you'll have complete control over everything in your spreadsheet. Now you can directly enter and edit information in cells and manipulate data and charts, giving you a faster and easier way to do your work. Microsoft Excel introduces a new way to work with data that lets you instantly create dynamic views and reports of your data, so you can spend time analyzing, rather than accessing and setting up information. And you can develop your own solutions with easy- to-use tools to customize your spreadsheet and rich development tools to build powerful enterprise solutions.
   
   Microsoft Excel also features OfficeLinks, which let you work with other programs, as well as with others in your workgroup, so you can include the most recent information in your analysis. And best of all, Microsoft Excel is part of the family of Microsoft Office programs that work alike and work together, so when you learn one, you're on your way to learning them all. With Microsoft Excel, you can focus on your work, rather than your computer. Maybe that's why it's the most popular spreadsheet for Windows.
   
   Gain Visual and Direct Control
   ------------------------------
   
   - Enter and edit information by typing it directly into cells. Click a cell to change the font size, the character formatting, the color, size, or orientation, of any part of the entry.
   
   - Select and build formulas with the Function Wizard--it helps you build formulas, assists you with arguments, and lists your most recently used functions.
   
   - Click the right mouse button to see context-sensitive shortcut menus.
   
   - Manipulate individual or groups of cells more easily by clicking the right mouse button or by dragging data. It's a fast way to cut, copy, and paste data.
   
   - Tab dialog boxes combine your options into one intuitive box, so you don't have to go searching through different menus.
   
   - Every file is a workbook that contains as many related sheets as you like. Workbook tabs make it easier to navigate through and select these sheets.
   
   - Workbooks let you simultaneously edit or format multiple sheets.
   
   - Quickly understand linked worksheets and errors with the new auditing tools. With one click, Microsoft Excel traces formulas to give you a visual representation of the formulas in a worksheet, and traces formula errors to their origin.
   
   - Identify buttons and toolbars quickly with ToolTips. Modify button images right in Microsoft Excel with the new Button Editor. If you're using a high-resolution graphics adapter, you can switch to the new Large Buttons option.
   
   IntelliSense Technology Lets You Do More with Less Effort
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   
   - Take advantage of a built-in, personal coach. TipWizard watches you as you work and gives you tips on how to work faster and smarter.
   
   - Leave the adding to Microsoft Excel. The AutoSum(TM) feature intelligently sums ranges and can sum rows and columns simultaneously.
   
   - Save time and effort typing in commonly entered data. The AutoFill feature recognizes trends in numbers and dates, and intelligently extends the selected series. Use the custom AutoFill feature to add your own series.
   
   - Make every worksheet look professional instantly with the AutoFormat feature. Take advantage of a number of existing formats, such as the accounting autoformats.
   
   - View a subset of your information with the AutoFilter command. Microsoft Excel provides you with a list of choices so that you can select the type of data you want to see.
   
   - Sort data easily and flexibly with the Sort buttons or define custom sort orders.
   
   - Choose the Subtotals command to automatically generate subtotals for your data.
   
   - Use the Auto Outline command to create reports at any level of detail with a few mouse clicks.
   
   Plot Your Data So That It Appears the Way You Want It to Appear
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   
   - Create meaningful charts from your data with the ChartWizard (which walks you through the chart-creation process and makes it easy for you to choose your own options).
   
   - Manipulate chart formats to get the exact chart layout you want: you can directly select, resize, and format parts of your chart, such as the legend, title, and plot area.
   
   - Update your chart instantly by dragging new data to the chart. The new information is automatically plotted for you.
   
   - Save preferred chart formats with a custom autoformat. Then reapply the entire format with a mouse click.
   
   - Mix chart types into one chart with combination charts. You can apply a different chart type for each series. For example, you can plot the values for "Revenue" on a line and values for "Expenses" in a column on the same chart.
   
   - Use the Trendline command to create a best-fit line and perform automatic forecasting.
   
   Discover a New Way to Analyze Data
   ----------------------------------
   
   The PivotTable(TM) Wizard steps you through building a summary table of your data that you can use to:
   
   - View and analyze data.
   
   - Build different reports and views by dragging and dropping headings any way you like.
   
   - Take the monotony out of your analysis with automatic calculations such as comparisons, averages, and percentages of totals.
   
   - Use the Grouping features to combine data.
   
   Easily Share Files and Work with Others
   ---------------------------------------
   
   Effectively work with others with the Workgroup toolbar:
   
   - The Find File button makes it easy to search for files by name, author, or date.
   
   - Interactive file sharing lets you share files, notifies you when files are available, and updates read-only files with the most recent changes.
   
   - The Send Mail button allows you to send mail right from Microsoft Excel and include files as attachments.
   
   - Use the Routing Slip button to send documents individually or to an entire team.
   
   - You can route documents individually in the order you specify, or all at once. You are notified as revisions are completed and are updated about a document's routing progress.
   
   - Take advantage of an improved Scenario Manager. Now you can create what-if scenarios on multiple ranges of cells and view and access those scenarios from a list on the Workgroup toolbar. You can even merge scenarios from others in your workgroup.
   
   - Make a summary report of your scenario by creating a PivotTable of your scenarios. Analyze the impact of different scenarios by pivoting your summary report.
   
   Access and Retrieve Data Easily
   -------------------------------
   
   - Save time by using the TextWizard to import files exactly the way you want.
   
   - Import data to Microsoft Excel with Microsoft Query. Microsoft Query supports open database connectivity (ODBC), which provides connections to a wide range of external data.
   
   Customize Your Worksheet
   ------------------------
   
   - Place controls directly on your worksheet to automate your work without macros.
   
   - Customize your toolbars easily.
   
   - Use the macro recorder to automate your tasks with the new Visual Basic(R) Programming System, Applications Edition, language or with the Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro language.
   
   Make Your Spreadsheet Part of a Complete Solution
   -------------------------------------------------
   
   - Create more-powerful programs easily with the common macro language Microsoft Visual Basic Programming System, Applications Edition. This one language allows you to build custom solutions for multiple programs.
   
   - Support for object linking and embedding (OLE) 2.0 lets Microsoft Excel work with other programs toward your solutions.
   
   Learn Microsoft Excel Using Your Lotus(R) 1-2-3(R) Experience
   -------------------------------------------------------------
   
   - You can use familiar 1-2-3 commands and the Lotus 1-2-3 transition options to demonstrate equivalent Microsoft Excel commands.
   
   - Transfer files without losing file compatibility with Lotus WKS, WK1, WK3, Impress, Allways(TM), Multiplan(R), and Quattro(R) Pro for the MS-DOS operating system.
   
   - Transfer existing files more easily with improved 3-D capabilities.
   
   - Use the Macro Interpreter for Lotus 1-2-3 to run all release 2.01 and most release 2.2 and 2.3 macros unmodified.
   
   The Microsoft Office Family: A Whole New Way to Work
   ----------------------------------------------------
   
   Go further with a family. The Microsoft Office family is a set of essential, full-featured programs for Windows. It includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access(R), Microsoft PowerPoint(R), Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Schedule+. It also includes Microsoft Office Standard and Professional, the most popular office suites on the market today.
   
   Consistency redefined. All programs in the Microsoft Office family look and work alike with common menus, commands, and toolbars. When you learn one program, you're well on your way to learning them all.
   
   Beyond ease of use. Only the programs in the Microsoft Office family have IntelliSense, built-in intelligence that anticipates what you want to do and responds with suggestions, examples, and shortcuts that reduce steps and save time. Routine tasks are automated and complex jobs become easier.
   
   Beyond cut and paste. Now it's truly easy to create, edit, and publish documents because OfficeLinks enable all programs in the Microsoft Office family to work together as if they were a single program. Move information between programs with a simple drag of the mouse. Edit information brought in from one program while you're working in another. And easily work with others in your group using built-in workgroup routing and editing features.
   
   PERFORMANCE FEATURES
   ====================
   
   Basic Use
   ---------
   
   - 3-D workbooks and workbook tabs
   - AutoFill
   - AutoSum
   - AutoFit row and column width
   - Customizable toolbars
   - Drag-and-drop data movement
   - Function Wizard
   - Name box
   - Spelling checker
   - Tab dialog boxes
   
   
   Learning Tools
   --------------
   
   - ToolTips
   - Help floats on your screen
   - Online, context-sensitive Help
   - TipWizard
   
   Drawing, Charting, Graphics, and Formatting
   -------------------------------------------
   
   - AutoFormat
   - ChartWizard
   - Chart gallery, including user-defined charts
   - Ability to plot data by dragging it to your chart
   - Drawing tools on sheets and graphs
   - Error bars to show data uncertainty
   - Format Painter
   - Goal Seek for all chart types
   - Hands-on charting
   - Import graphics
   - Picture charts
   - Tear-off palettes
   - Trendlines and curve smoothing
   
   Data Access and Analysis
   ------------------------
   
   - Analysis ToolPak with the most extensive financial, statistical, engineering, and scientific features of any spreadsheet
   - AutoFilter
   - Automatic subtotal
   - Data consolidation
   - Goal seeking
   - Microsoft Query
   - ODBC support
   - Outlining
   - PivotTable Wizard and PivotTable
   - Solver
   - TextWizard
   
   Workgroup
   ---------
   
   - Auditing tools
   - Find File support
   - Route documents and send mail
   - Scenario Manager
   - Workgroup toolbar
   
   Integration
   -----------
   
   - Cross-program drag-and-drop data movement
   - Consistent toolbars and menus with other Microsoft Office programs for Windows
   - External graphic filters
   - OLE 2.0 support
   
   Programming for All Users
   -------------------------
   
   - On-sheet controls
   - Integrated dialog box editor
   - Network install
   - Macro recorder (in Visual Basic or Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro language)
   - Microsoft Visual Basic Programming System, Applications Edition installation
   - Custom install
   - Uninstall



2. Q. How do I order my upgrade from Microsoft Excel version 4.0 or earlier for Windows to Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for Windows?
   
   A. To order your Microsoft Excel 5.0 upgrade, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400, Monday through Friday, between 6:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. Pacific time.



3. Q. What are the minimum hardware and software requirements for Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for Windows?
   
   A. To run Microsoft Excel 5.0, you need the following:
   
   - MS-DOS operating system version 3.1 or later
   
   -and-
   
   any of the following (must be acquired separately):
   
   Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 or later
   Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 or later
   Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing
   
   -or-
   
   Microsoft Windows NT(TM) version 3.1 or later
   
   - A personal computer with a 286 or higher microprocessor
   
   - 4 megabytes (MB) of memory
   
   - Hard disk space required:
   
   Laptop (minimum) installation: approximately 6 MB Typical installation: approximately 15 MB Custom installation: up to 22 MB
   
   - A 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch disk drive
   
   - EGA or higher-resolution monitor compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later
   
   - Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device (mouse recommended)



4. Q. How do I install Microsoft Excel for Windows on a network server so that workstations can run Setup from the server?
   
   A. For detailed information about how to set up and administer Microsoft Excel on a network, see the NETWORK.TXT file on Setup Disk 1. To view and print this file:
   
   1. From the Accessories group in Program Manager, start Notepad.
   
   2. From the File menu, choose Open.
   
   3. Switch to the drive that contains your Microsoft Excel 5.0 Setup disk, select NETWORK.TXT, and choose OK.
   
   4. From the Edit menu, choose Word Wrap.
   
   5. If you want to print the document, choose the Print command from the File menu.



5. Q. When I run the Setup program for Microsoft Excel for Windows, there are several options to choose from. What do these options mean?
   
   A. When you run the setup program for Microsoft Excel 5.0, you can choose a Typical, Complete/Custom, or Laptop (Minimum) setup. Use the Complete/Custom option to choose some or all of the Microsoft Excel components. The components you can choose include: the Microsoft Excel program, Help files, Tutorial, Data Access, Graphics Filters, Add-ins, and Tools. To reduce the amount of disk space an option requires, select the option and choose the Change Option button. You can then select the components you want to install. The Complete/Custom option requires up to 23 MB. The Typical setup option installs everything except the Data Access component and requires approximately 19 MB. The Notebook setup option requires only 8 MB because it installs only those files necessary to run Microsoft Excel.



6. Q. If I run low on disk space, how do I uninstall specific components of Microsoft Excel for Windows?
   
   A. Once you've installed Microsoft Excel, you can run the Setup program at any time to add or remove supplementary applications or files. To run the Setup program:
   
   1. Quit Microsoft Excel if it is currently open.
   
   2. Double-click the Microsoft Excel Setup icon (this icon should be located in the same Program Manager group as your Microsoft Excel program icon).
   
   3. Choose the Add/Remove button.
   
   4. Clear the option check boxes for the components that you want to remove and select the items you want to add and choose the Continue button.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbdta xlquery 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.00
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo 

Last Reviewed: April 13, 1999