MXL: Recommended (Minimum) Hardware Configurations for Excel

Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
Article ID: Q125951
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.x, 4.0, 5.0, 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

The recommended hardware configurations for each version of Microsoft Excel are as follows.

Microsoft Excel 5.0

To run Microsoft Excel version 5.0 for the Macintosh you must have the following:

  • a Macintosh computer with a 68020 or higher processor
  • System 7.0 or later
  • 4 MB of memory minimum, 8 MB of recommended
  • 1.4 MB disk drive
  • 10 MB hard disk drive space for typical installation (6 MB for minimum installation, 22 MB for a full installation)

Microsoft Excel 5.0 for the Power Macintosh

  • a Macintosh computer with a PowerPC processor
  • System 7.1 or later
  • 8 MB of memory total
  • 1.4 MB disk drive
  • 10 MB hard disk drive space for typical installation (6 MB for minimum installation, 22 MB for a full installation)

Microsoft Excel 2.2, 2.2a, 3.0,3.0a, and 4.0

To run Microsoft Excel versions 2.2, 2.2a, 3.0, 3.0a, and 4.0, you must have at least a Macintosh Plus with 1 MB of RAM and an 800K internal disk drive using System 6.0.2 or later. Other Macintosh models that may satisfy these requirements include:

  • Macintosh Plus, SE, SE/30
  • Macintosh II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, IIfx, IIsi, IIvi, IIvx
  • Macintosh LC, LC II, LC III, LC 475, LC 520, LC 550, LC 575
  • Macintosh Classic, Classic II, Color Classic, Color Classic II
  • Macintosh Centris Family (610, 650, 660AV)
  • Macintosh Quadra Family (605, 610, 610DOS, 650, 660AV, 700, 800, 840AV, 900, 950)
  • Macintosh Portable
  • Macintosh PowerBook Family (100, 140, 145, 145B, 160,165, 165c, 170, 180, 180c)
  • Macintosh Duo Family (210, 230, 250, 270c
  • Macintosh Work Group Server Family (60, 80, 95, 6150, 8150, 9150)
  • Macintosh Performa Family (200, 275, 400, 405, 410, 430, 450, 460, 466, 467, 475, 476, 550, 560, 600, 650)
  • Apple Power Macintosh 6100, 7100, 8100
  • Macintosh MacTV

NOTE: For some of the models listed above, you may need to turn off the internal 040 processor cache if you want to run Microsoft Excel 2.2, 2.2a, or 3.0.

Excel 1.5

You must have at least a Macintosh 512K Enhanced with 1 MB of RAM and an 800K internal disk drive to run Microsoft Excel version 1.5. Other models that satisfy these requirements are as follows:

  • Macintosh Plus
  • Macintosh SE
  • Macintosh II
  • Macintosh IIx
  • Macintosh SE/30
  • Macintosh IIcx
  • Macintosh IIci
  • Macintosh IIfx

NOTE: If you are running System 6.0.7 or later you may cause memory problems with your computer.

Excel 1.06 and Earlier

You must have at least 512K of RAM memory and either one 800K disk drive or two 400K disk drives to run Excel versions 1.06 and earlier. The models that satisfy these requirements are as follows:

  • Macintosh 512K with external 400K disk drive
  • Macintosh 512K Enhanced
  • Macintosh Plus
  • Macintosh SE (NOTE: Excel 1.00 is not supported on the Macintosh SE.)
  • Macintosh II

NOTE: Microsoft Excel 1.0, 1.03, and 1.04 are not supported on the Macintosh II.


Additional query words: 1.00 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.50 2.20 2.20a 3.00 3.00a
4.00 5.00 5.00a 98 XL98 XL5 XL4 XL3
Keywords : xlmac kbenv
Version : MACINTOSH:1.0,2.0,3.0,4.0,5.0,5.0a,98
Platform : MACINTOSH
Issue type : kbinfo


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Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
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