Readme for Exl-Plan - Shareware Release ======================================= for Excel for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT =================================== Contents ======== 1. Introduction to Exl-Plan 2. Upgrading from Shareware Version 3. Benefits of Upgrading Shareware Version 4. Association of Shareware Professionals Ombudsman Statement 5. Installing & Running Exl-Plan 6. Your Master Copy of Exl-Plan 7. Operational Hints & Tips5 8. Uninstalling Exl-Plan 8.1. Using Windows 95/98/NT 8.2. Using Windows 3.1 9. Accessing Help 10. Revision History 11. Contact Details ############################################################## 1. Introduction to Exl-Plan =========================== Exl-Plan is a powerful, easy-to-use software package for preparing comprehensive financial projections, budgets, business plans etc. for one, three or five years ahead for new & established businesses of all sizes and types. It can also be used as a tool for strategic and corporate planning, business restructuring, financial appraisals and performance monitoring. This shareware release of Exl-Plan is freely distributable but refer to the file LICENSE.TXT for full details. Exl-Plan is primarily a workbook file which runs on the best- selling Excel spreadsheet from Microsoft. As Exl-Plan incorporates extensive formulae and pre-programmed menus and buttons only a very basic knowledge of Excel is required to prepare highly professional and presentable projections. Advanced Excel users can utilise their expertise to enhance and expand Exl-Plan to meet their particular needs. Exl-Plan requires Microsoft Excel releases 5, 7, 8, 95, 97 for Windows 3.1 or 95/98/NT. Exl-Plan is available in three versions (Micro, Lite and Pro) and two editions using UK/International and US/Canadian accounting conventions - six variants in all. These versions have the flexibility to handle manufacturing, distribution and service businesses and are suitable for established businesses as well as for new ventures and strategic business units within major corporations. Exl-Plan is also ideal for use by professional advisers, consultants, training organisations, financial institutions and enterprise support agencies. Exl-Plan is pre-formatted to handle the very wide range of the variables and functions normally encountered when preparing financial projections. Based on the monthly and quarterly assumptions entered by the user, it compiles detailed and fully integrated financial projections for one year on a monthly basis and, in less detail, for a further two years on a quarterly basis (four years for Pro version). It produces dozens of pro-forma financial and management reports together with numerous graphs for key variables. Exl-Plan contains numerous facilities for accelerating the process of preparing projections and for undertaking global or specific "what-if" sensitivity analyses. Exl-Plan is easy-to-use because all the formulae for financial calculations are pre-written; reports are pre-formatted and clearly laid out; menu structures follow logical sequences; and online help is available to the user at all stages. For experienced users of Excel, Exl-Plan offers a familiar environment which can be tailored and expanded to meet specialist needs and utilise existing spreadsheet-based data without the need to get involved in any extensive import/ export procedures. For latest information about Exl-Plan, visit our web sites at: (US site) (Irish site) ############################################################## 2. Upgrading from Shareware Version =================================== The following table summarises the charges for upgrading from the shareware version of Exl-Plan (either US/Canadian or UK/International editions): Exl-Plan Micro US$ 49 Exl-Plan Lite US$ 89 Exl-Plan Pro US$ 129 Copy of manual (optional) US$ 20 Note: Each version/edition of Exl-Plan has a different manual. A downloaded shareware copy can be upgraded to its equivalent fully-operational commercial version by arranging payment and swapping the Upgrade Code Number (on FRONT sheet) for an Unlock Code by e-mail, fax, post etc. For further upgrade details, refer to the shareware-related items in the *Exl-Plan Help menu; the UPGRADE worksheet; the ORDER.DOC file; or 'How to Upgrade' page at . Note that you cannot remotely upgrade and simultaneously switch versions/editions. If you wish to remotely upgrade to a different version/edition, you must first download the shareware equivalent of the desired version/edition via our web sites at: www.planware.org (US site) www.planware.ie/resource/planware (Irish site) ############################################################## 3. Benefits of Upgrading Shareware Version ========================================== Use of the shareware version of Exl-Plan for any purpose except evaluation is NOT permitted under the terms of the Shareware License Agreement. If Exl-Plan is suitable to your needs there are many positive benefits of registering including: * Option to acquire a 115/125-page spiral bound manual. * Access to support by phone, fax and e-mail. * Securement of the latest version of Exl-Plan. * Details of upgrades, user tips etc. ############################################################## 4. Association of Shareware Professionals Ombudsman Statement ============================================================= Invest-Tech, author of Exl-Plan, is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). "ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 157-F Love Ave, Greenwood, IN 46142 USA, FAX 317-888-2195, or send email to omb@asp-shareware.org." ############################################################## 5. Installing & Running Exl-Plan ================================ IMPORTANT: Exl-Plan must always be installed from supplied installation disk(s) or via a downloaded installation file. It will not operate correctly if it is installed by simply transferring an Exl-Plan workbook file from one PC to another. Install Exl-Plan from supplied 3.5" disks or from a distribution file downloaded from the Internet. You will need 5mb of hard disk space for installation and a further 6mb to set up Exl-Plan. To install Exl-Plan, run the EXL*.EXE file via Run within the Program Manager or Start menu. You will be guided by extensive on-screen instructions. To run Exl-Plan, proceed as follows: a) Select Exl-Plan from the Exl-Plan Program Group (W3.1) or from the Programs menu (W95/98). or b) Load Excel and open the EXLPLAN.XLS file within Exl-Plan's EXL***** subdirectory or folder (located below the EXCEL subdirectory or MY DOCUMENTS folder). Loading Exl-Plan for the first time takes a few minutes while it goes through its setup routines - resetting its toolbar, making backups etc. On subsequent occasions, it loads much more quickly. Note: If loading Exl-Plan with Excel 95 or higher, Excel may display a dialog about viruses. If Exl-Plan was secured from a reliable source or directly from Invest-Tech, press the Enable Macros button (Exl-Plan will not load properly if the Disable Macros button is pressed). As loading progresses, a further dialog may appear about the location of macros. This can be disabled or ignored. In certain exceptional circumstances, Exl-Plan may display the message "Exl-Plan could not find its customized toolbar. Refer to accompanying README file for further info." or may hang when displayed the message "Exl-Plan is resetting toolbars, please wait a minute or so" in the status bar (at the bottom of Excel's Window). These problems are mainly due to changes in file formats for Excel 5/95 and 97. They can be easily resolved using a 'fix' which will re-attach Exl-Plan's toolbar to Excel. You can download an Excel file (ADDTOOL.ZIP - 9k) containing this fix with instructions directly from . Alternatively, send an email to stating the nature of your problem. If using the fix, you might wish to refer to the notes at Exl-Plan's FAQ at about hanging and toolbars. ############################################################## 6. Your Master Copy of Exl-Plan =============================== If Exl-Plan was secured as shareware and subsequently upgraded remotely via Invest-Tech, the upgraded Exl-Plan workbook file should be kept safe and intact as the primary master version of Exl-Plan. ############################################################## 7. Operational Hints & Tips =========================== Refer to the README.DOC file which is accessible once Exl-Plan has been installed. Also, see the Frequently Asked Questions page at . ############################################################## 8. Uninstalling Exl-Plan ======================== See the INSTALL.LOG in the EXL*** sub-directory or folder for further installation details. 8.1. Using Windows 95/98/NT --------------------------- 1. Press Start and then select Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. 2. Scroll down to Exl-Plan, press Add/Remove and follow on-screen instructions. 8.2. Using Windows 3.1 ---------------------- Go to Exl-Plan's Program Group, select Uninstall Exl-Plan and follow on-screen instructions. ############################################################## 9. Accessing Help ================= Exl-Plan's very extensive online help system replicates the contents of its optional 115/125-page bound manual. It contains over 130 different topics with extensive linking and indexing. Online help can be run directly from outside Excel via its Program icon (W3.1) or via Start|Programs|Exl-Plan Help (W95/98). In addition, it can be accessed by clicking the Help Contents button on Exl-Plan's FRONT worksheet or by selecting the Help-Contents option from the *Exl-Plan Help menu. ############################################################## 10. Revision History ==================== July 1998 --------- EXLPKF10, EXLPKE10, EXLPSF10 & EXLPSE10 - Pre-release versions of Exl-Plan Pro (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. November 1998 ------------- EXLLUK11 & EXLLUS11 - First definitive shareware releases of Exl-Plan Lite (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. EXLMUK11 & EXLMUS11 - First definitive shareware releases of Exl-Plan Micro (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. EXLPUK11 & EXLPUS11 - First definitive shareware releases of Exl-Plan Pro (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. April 1999 ---------- EXLLUK12 & EXLLUS12 - New releases of Exl-Plan Lite (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. Features/changes include error trapping for lost toolbar; modifications to specific formulae to accommodate very unusual combinations of assumptions; and cosmetic changes. EXLMUK12 & EXLMUS12 - New releases of Exl-Plan Micro (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. Features/changes include error trapping for lost toolbar; modifications to specific formulae to accommodate very unusual combinations of assumptions; and cosmetic changes. EXLPUK12 & EXLPUS12 - New releases of Exl-Plan Pro (UK/I and US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 98 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT. Features/changes include error trapping for lost toolbar; modifications to specific formulae to accommodate very unusual combinations of assumptions; and cosmetic changes. ############################################################## 11. Contact Details =================== Contact details for the author of Exl-Plan are as follows: Invest-Tech Limited 27 Ardmeen Park Blackrock Co Dublin Ireland Tel: + 353-1-283 4083 Fax: + 353-1-278 2391 (Replace + by international access code) E-mail: Web: (US site) or (Irish site) ############################################################## End of Readme