              Readme for Exl-Plan - Shareware Release
              =======================================
             for Excel for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT/2000
             ========================================

			Contents
			========
	1.	Introduction to Exl-Plan
        2.      Introduction to Free-Plan
        3.      Getting Business Advice
        4.      Upgrading from Shareware Version
        5.      Benefits of Upgrading Shareware Version
        6.      Association of Shareware Professionals
                Ombudsman Statement
        7.      Installing & Running Exl-Plan
        8.      Your Master Copy of Exl-Plan
        9.      Operational Hints & Tips5
        10.     Uninstalling Exl-Plan
          10.1.    Using Windows 95/98/NT/2000
          10.2.    Using Windows 3.1
        11.      Accessing Help
        12.     Revision History
	11.	Contact Details

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			CONTENTS OF PACKAGE

Exl-Plan, a fully-integrated financial planner for Excel. 
(file: EXLPLAN.XLS)

On-line help for Exl-Plan containing 100+ topics. 
(file: EXL*.HLP)

10-page White Paper on 'Writing a Business Plan' in HTML 
format. (file: PLAN.HTM)

Free-Plan, a 36-page business plan guide & template for Word 
97 & 2000. (file: FREEPLAN.DOC)

Once Exl-Plan has been installed, all the foregoing items can 
be accessed from the Exl-Plan option within the Programs menu
or directly from the folder specified during installation.

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1. Introduction to Exl-Plan
===========================
Exl-Plan is a range of powerful, easy-to-use software packages
for preparing comprehensive financial projections, budgets,
business plans etc. for six months or for one, three, five or
seven 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 or
2000 for Windows 3.1 or 95/98/NT/2000.

Exl-Plan is available in seven versions (Free, Micro, Lite, 
Pro, Super, Super Plus & Ultra) and two editions using UK/
International and US/Canadian accounting conventions - fourteen
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/three years on
a monthly basis and, in less detail, for a further two years 
on a quarterly basis. 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 site at 
<www.planware.org>.

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2. Introduction to Free-Plan
============================
Included with this copy of Exl-Plan is a copy of Free-Plan, a 
freeware business planning guide and template for Word 97/2000. 
It is located in the same folder as was specified during the 
initial installation of Exl-Plan and can be accessed by an 
option within the Exl-Plan Programs menu.

To utilise Free-Plan, you will need to register and secure a 
password to unlock Free-Plan. Refer to the yellow table on 
the first page of Free-Plan. Registration is completely free 
($0.0) and can be done by e-mail or an online form at <www.planware.org/busplan.htm>.

The extensive information contained within the body of 
Free-Plan can be viewed without registering.

If you need a version of Free-Plan suitable for Word 6/95, 
download a copy from the PlanWare site at 
<www.planware.org/busplan.htm>.

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3. Getting Business Advice
==========================
If you need business-related advice about preparing a business 
plan, developing a business strategy, raising finance etc., 
be sure to visit the PlanWare web site at <www.planware.org> 
which contains substantial guidance and advice in the form of 
white papers and other facilities and resources.

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4. Upgrading from Shareware Version
===================================
The following table summarises the prices (inclusive of 
worldwide mail delivery) for upgrading a shareware version of 
Exl-Plan (either US/Canadian or UK/International editions):

        Exl-Plan Free                   Free *
	Exl-Plan Micro			US$ 49
	Exl-Plan Lite			US$ 89
	Exl-Plan Pro			US$ 129
        Exl-Plan Super                  US$ 169
	Exl-Plan Super Plus		US$ 209
        Exl-Plan Ultra                  US$ 249
	Copy of manual (optional)	US$ 20

* To register Exl-Plan Free, send Upgrade Code Number by 
e-mail to freeplan@planware.org and await receipt of Unlock 
Code. Refer to Upgrade worksheet within Free for further info.

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 
<www.planware.org/exlupgr.htm>.

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 site at <www.planware.org>. 

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5. 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.

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6. 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."

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7. 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
up to 20 Mb of hard disk space.

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/NT/2000).

    or

b) Load Excel and open the EXLPLAN.XLS file within Exl-Plan's 
EXL* subdirectory or folder at the location specified by the 
user during the initial installation of Exl-Plan. 
 
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.

If, when using Excel 2000, Exl-Plan does not fully load and 
its start-up macros fail to run, try changing the setting 
for macro security to medium (Tools | Macro | Security). Only 
select this option if you have secured Exl-Plan from a 
trustworthy source.

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" in the status bar (at the bottom of 
Excel's Window). 

We supply a simple fix to reattach the Exl-Plan toolbar to 
Excel and overcome these hanging problems which are due to 
changes in file formats for Excel 5/95 and 97/2000. The 
supplied Excel file (ADDTOOL.XLS) contains this fix. This 
file will be automatically installed into the same folder 
as for EXLPLAN.XLS. 

In the event of hanging, proceed as follows:

1. Load ADDTOOL.XLS within Excel and follow the on-screen 
instructions (just press the button !!). It will add 
Exl-Plan's toolbar (without any macros) to Excel. You will 
only see the toolbar  momentarily on the screen but it 
will be listed in View | Toolbars ...

2. Close ADDTOOL.XLS and immediately load the problematic 
Exl-Plan file. Depending on your precise set up, Exl-Plan 
should set up the toolbar correctly during loading. If it 
doesn't, select the menu option *Tools/Setup | Reset 
Toolbar Buttons. This will add the macros to the toolbar.

If using the fix, you might wish to refer to the notes 
about hanging at Exl-Plan's FAQ at 
<www.planware.org/exlfaq.htm>. 

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8. 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
(usually EXLPLAN.XLS) should be kept safe and intact as the 
primary master version of Exl-Plan.

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9. 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 <www.planware.org/exlfaq.htm>.

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10. Uninstalling Exl-Plan
=========================
See the INSTALL.LOG in the EXL*** sub-directory or folder for
further installation details.

10.1. Using Windows 95/98/NT/2000
---------------------------------
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.

10.2. Using Windows 3.1
-----------------------
Go to Exl-Plan's Program Group, select Uninstall Exl-Plan and
follow on-screen instructions.

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11. 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/NT/2000).

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.

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12. Revision History
====================

1.0 - Pre-release versions of Exl-Plan Pro (UK/I and US/C 
editions)  for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 97, 2000 for Windows 3.1, 
95/98/NT/2000.

1.1 - First definitive releases of Exl-Plan Micro, Lite & Pro 
(UK/I and US/C editions)  for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 97, 2000 for
Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT/2000.

1.2 - New releases of Exl-Plan Micro, Lite & Pro (UK/I and US/C editions)  for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 97, 2000 for Windows 3.1, 
95/98/NT/2000. Features/changes include error trapping for lost toolbar; modifications to specific formulae to accommodate very
unusual combinations of assumptions; and some cosmetic changes.

2.0 - Update of Exl-Plan range to include completely new 
Free and Super versions as well as updates to existing Micro, 
Lite and Pro versions and their respective help systems to 
include additional facilities and features including bundling 
of Free-Plan.

2.1 - New release of Exl-Plan Super Plus and Ultra (UK/I and 
US/C editions) for Excel 5, 7, 8, 95, 97, 2000 for Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT/2000. Minor changes and improvements to entire range. 

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13. 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: <info@planware.org>

	Web: <www.planware.org>

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End of Readme


