The original VisiCalc program that ran on the IBM PC in 1981 still runs on today's PCs. I have included it here, with the kind permission of Lotus who now owns the copyright, for people to try themselves. You can download it to your PC and run it under Windows or DOS. It is only 27,520 bytes long (smaller than many GIFs and JPGs on the web).

This version of the program is very similar to the original VisiCalc that first came out on the Apple II in 1979. It has a few extra features: a "Home" key, support for four arrow keys, a few extra commands including /E for editing the contents of a cell, and upper and lower case letters. This version was for DOS 1.0, which did not have directories, so it can only access files in the current directory. The original version as shipped had copy protection. This one does not, though it is still covered by a license agreement.

Remember: To quit, use "/SQY" (Storage, Quit, Yes).

The executable is available for download in a zip file. Download the zip file by clicking here, reading the license agreement, and if you agree, clicking on the "I Agree, Start the Download" link at the bottom of the page. Save the file to disk as "visicalc-executable.zip" and extract the contents: "VC.COM". The VC.COM file is a standard DOS executable and can be run, checked for viruses, etc. If you execute it in Windows by double-clicking on the file in Windows Explorer, it should run in an MSDOS window by itself, like this:



Use the Apple II VisiCalc Reference Card to learn the commands.

In order to download and run the VisiCalc executable provided on this web site, you must read and agree to this license from Lotus. The link to agree and download is at the end of the page.

The Program is owned by Lotus Development Corporation (Lotus), and is
copyrighted and licensed, not sold.

The term "Program" means the original program and all whole or partial
copies of it. A Program consists of machine-readable instructions, its
components, data, audio-visual content (such as images, text, recordings,
or pictures), and related licensed materials.

1. License

Use of the Program

Lotus grants you a nonexclusive license to use the Program.

You may 1) use the Program for your personal use, not commercially, and 2)
make and install copies to support the level of use authorized, providing
you reproduce the copyright notice and any other legends of ownership on
each copy, or partial copy, of the Program.

If you acquire this Program as a program upgrade, your authorization to use
the Program from which you upgraded is terminated.

You will ensure that anyone who uses the Program does so only in compliance
with the terms of this Agreement.

You may not 1) use, copy, modify, or distribute the Program except as
provided in this Agreement; 2) reverse assemble, reverse compile, or
otherwise translate the Program except as specifically permitted by law
without the possibility of contractual waiver; or 3) sublicense, rent, or
lease the Program.

2. No Warranty

This Program is provided AS-IS, without any warranty of any kind.

LOTUS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT..

3. Limitation of Liability

LOTUS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES
OR FOR ANY ECONOMIC CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR
SAVINGS), EVEN IF LOTUS, OR ITS RESELLER, HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Lotus will not be liable for 1) loss of, or damage to, your records or data
or 2) any damages claimed by you based on any third party claim.

This limitation of liability also applies to any developer of a Program
supplied to Lotus. It is the maximum for which Lotus and its suppliers are
collectively responsible.

4. General

Lotus may terminate your license if you fail to comply with the terms of
this Agreement. If Lotus does so, your authorization to use the Program is
also terminated.

You agree to comply with applicable export laws and regulations.

Neither you nor Lotus will bring a legal action under this Agreement more
than two years after the cause of action arose unless otherwise provided by
local law without the possibility of contractual waiver or limitation.

Neither you nor Lotus is responsible for failure to fulfill any obligations
due to causes beyond its control.

The laws of the State of New York govern this Agreement.

If you agree to follow this license and want to download the program (see below on what to do to run it), click on:

I Agree, Start the Download

If you don't agree, click here to go back:

I don't agree

If you agree and start the download, you should save the zip file to disk and then extract the "VC.COM" stored in it. You can execute the extracted VC.COM by double-clicking on it in Windows Explorer. Quit by using the "/SQY" command.

The original VisiCalc Reference Card covers most of what is in this version if you'd like to learn how to use it. The Reference Card is covered by copyright and the license above. If you make a printed copy of the Reference Card, you must include the copyright notice (it's in the first panel). You may not distribute copies. Note: The Reference Card is in framed pages, so only print the frame with the image (with some browsers you must click within the frame before printing).

http://www.bricklin.com/history/vcpostingreactions.htm