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(Image credit: Inkbox)
Microsoft Excel isn’t exactly up there when it comes to anyone’s top-ten list of exciting software. Regarded as the dependable if more-than-slightly dull workhorse of productivity apps, the mere mention of Excel brings to mind endless spreadsheets, budgetary calculations, and… oh no you’ve fallen asleep already. But when someone creates a functional 16-bit CPU inside it, well, that might just be worth waking up for.
YouTuber Inkbox has posted a16-minute video(viaTom’s Hardware) detailing exactly how they built a fully-functional 3Hz 16-bit CPU in the much-maligned office app, complete with an included 128KB of RAM, a 16-colour output display and its own custom assembly language. Not only was the CPU created (and runs) inside Excel, it was built without any Visual Basic scripts or plugins, which means it could be duplicated on any Excel instance.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen CPUs built inside other programs, as who could forget the amazingly named Chungus 2, a fully functional3D model of a PC constructed within Minecraft, complete with its own 1Hz CPU created with some very imaginative uses of redstone. Still, as anyone with many hours in the game can attest, building things in Minecraft can be fun, whereas Excel… well, that takes a level of discipline and will all of its own.
Your next upgrade(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
Your next upgrade
(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
(Image credit: Future)
Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
Inkbox hasshared the results of their work on Github, which means that if you have a copy of Excel installed you can check out the inner-workings of a functional CPU for yourself, complete with some basic programs to try.
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It’s a fascinating re-purposing of the software, and goes some way to showing the power of Excel when used creatively. While my time with the program has often led to swearing, internal cursing at my lack of a proper maths education, and broken spreadsheets that have become a source of great pain, I take my hat off to the work and dedication that’s been put in here.
It’s truly Excel-ent. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I’ll see myself out.
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AMD accuses Intel’s Arrow Lake of being a ‘horrible’ product and implies a lack of options for consumers has caused the Ryzen 7 9800X3D shortage
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Team Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40K
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Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anything
If you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 off
AMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fab
I tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bay
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