MSX-PLAN ROM dumped
Posted by Javi Lavandeira in MSX, Retro, software, Technology | October 14, 2015
In the early-mid 80s Microsoft created Multiplan, a spreadsheet application available for several 8-bit platforms such as the Commodore 64, the Apple II, and the CP/M operating system. This is the application that preceded Excel.
I knew that Microsoft partnered with ASCII Corporation to release an MSX-only version, called MSX-PLAN and available as a ROM cartridge. However, I had never seen the actual cartridge and was unable to find a dump of the ROM online anywhere.
Until now.
Some time ago I saw it in an auction and was able to buy it. It is the educational package created in 1985 for the Sanno Institute of Management, with the ROM being exactly the same.
The cartridge doesn’t seem to do anything when inserted in the computer. The MSX just boots in BASIC as usual. However, entering the _MSXPLAN command (or CALL MSXPLAN) invokes the application:
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
The application is actually pretty nice and works well. It supports the typical functionality you would expect from a spreadsheet software such as Excel, though it is obviously not as fast as Excel on modern hardware. It does support reading/saving files to floppy disk or hard drive.
(Click to enlarge)
The dumped ROM is 32KB and runs fine under openMSX. It’s available here:
- MSX-PLAN Version 1.00 (ZIP, 29KB)
It’s not too intuitive, but it doesn’t take too long to get used to it either. If enough people are interested then I can prepare a simple instruction sheet. Just write in the comments below.
This is the official doc for the CP/M version. I guess that most of it will be similar to the MSX version: https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_microsoftcnforCPM1982_10627989/Microsoft_Multiplan_for_CPM_1982_djvu.txt
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
Yes, I’ve taken a quick look and I see that most of the usage part applies to MSX-PLAN as well. The main difference I see is that the CP/M version works using keyboard shortcuts, while the MSX version uses a system of menus and submenus based on the F1-F10 keys.
The manual is over 460 pages long. This shows how powerful this little program is. :-)
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I have the orange cartridge by ASCII. Is same ROM dump as yours.
Thanks! It’s good to know that the contents of the ROM are the same.
In Brazil Sharp/EPCOM sold a portuguese translation of MSX-PLAN called “HOT-PLAN”.
Hi. Have you got a link to the manual? Thanks.
It’s online. MSX-PLAN is the same software as Multiplan. Here’s the manual for the CP/M version:
https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_microsoftcnforCPM1982_10627989
It should work almost identically.
Ok. Thank you very much ;-)
Hello, the ROM file is missing! Can you fix it?
Thank you
Hello, may you put back the ROM file? There are some copyright issue?
Thanks.
Hello,
I have one by ASCII. I cannot make rom image. Dont you know which type the cartrigde(ASCII/8, ASCII/16 etc.) is?
The link above to the rom file is off now.
Sorry for the late reply. Apparently the .zip disappeared from the server (?). I have restored it and the download link should work now.
Eu tenho em disquete e já recuperei há muito tempo Microsoft Multiplan Version 1.06 (1985)
Tenho versão disco para MSX-DOS versão 1.06