FastTips for Excel 4.0 for Windows: Upgrading Q&A

Summary:

  Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
                WE0610: UPGRADING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

                                                   Revision Date: 9/92
                                                      No Disk Included

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| Technology, Inc.                                                   |
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1. Q. How do I upgrade from version 3.0 or earlier of Microsoft
      Excel for Windows to version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel for Windows?

   A. To order your Microsoft Excel 4.0 upgrade, please call either
      the Excel Upgrade Hotline at (800) 323-3577 or Microsoft
      Consumer Sales at (800) 426-9400 between 6:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M.
      Pacific time. (If you call Microsoft Consumer Sales, select
      Individual or Business User, and then request information on
      upgrade procedures.)

2. Q. What are the minimum hardware and software requirements for
      version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel for Windows?

   A. To run Microsoft Excel 4.0, you need the following:

       - An IBM(R) PC/AT(R) or compatible, or IBM PS/2(R), with an
         80286 or faster processor.

       - 2 MB of RAM.

       - MS-DOS or PC-DOS version 3.1 or later.

       - Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.0 or later
         running in standard or 386 enhanced mode.

       - An IBM-compatible EGA, VGA, 8514/A, Hercules(R) graphics
         card, or any video adapter supported by Microsoft Windows
         version 3.0, except CGA.

       - A hard disk with 5 MB of available disk space.

       - A 5.25-inch, 1.2-MB or 3.5-inch, 1.44-MB floppy disk
         drive.

       - A mouse is optional but highly recommended. Some Microsoft
         Excel 4.0 features require a mouse.

3. Q. What features are new to version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel for
      Windows?

   A. Microsoft Excel 4.0 gives you unprecedented power and ease of
      use. It enables you to have instant access to powerful features
      including unmatched analytical functions, outstanding reporting
      and presentation tools, and extensive easy charting. The new
      features of Microsoft Excel 4.0 are described in more detail
      below.

       - The Cell Drag And Drop option offers a fast and easy way
         to cut, copy, and paste data using the mouse. Just point to
         the data you want to move and drag it to its new position.

       - Shortcut menus pop up when you click the right mouse
         button. They provide instant access to common context-
         sensitive commands.

       - AutoFill recognizes trends and intelligently extends data
         and alphanumeric headings as far as you want.

       - AutoFormat applies an attractive, professionally designed
         format to your worksheet with one mouse click.

      Microsoft Excel 4.0 has the following powerful analysis tools
      customers asked for:

       - With Scenario Manager, you can easily create and save
         multiple "what if" scenarios and produce a summary of those
         scenarios.

       - The Analysis ToolPak includes the most extensive
         financial, statistical, engineering, and scientific functions
         of any spreadsheet, with over 160 functions in all.

      Microsoft Excel 4.0 also includes the following presentation and
      graphics tools:

       - The spelling checker is a built-in feature that makes all
         your presentations letter perfect.

       - With Report Manager, you can define different areas of one
         or more worksheets and print them as one report.

       - The gallery of 90 chart types has been enhanced to include
         rotating 3-D, surface, and radar charts.

       - Microsoft Excel 4.0 provides an easy transition from
         Lotus(R) 1-2-3(R) with the following features:

       - The Macro Interpreter for Lotus 1-2-3 users lets you run
         Lotus 1-2-3 macros unmodified (all release 2.01 and most
         release 2.2 and 2.3 macros).

       - Full file compatibility means that Microsoft Excel 4.0
         reads 19 different file formats, including WKS, WK1, WK3, and
         Impress.

4. Q. Does Microsoft provide any special programs for professional
      Excel developers?

   A. Microsoft will be releasing a software development kit (SDK) for
      version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel for Windows. You can obtain
      preliminary materials on the new Excel C application programming
      interface and the Microsoft Excel file formats, which will be
      part of this SDK, by calling Microsoft Developer Services at
      (800) 227-4679. Microsoft Developer Services is open from 6:30
      A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Pacific time.