It is possible to do very crazy things in Excel, like running Linux

The development of unusual projects in the field of computing continues to surprise the tech community, and the most recent example of this comes from a developer known as NSG650. This innovator has managed to run Linux within an Excel spreadsheet, a milestone that demonstrates the versatility of the operating system in an unconventional environment. The project, called Linux in Excel, is based on an open-source RISC-V emulator and was created with the main goal of having fun and experimenting, using just 400 lines of code.

An emulator within a spreadsheet

Despite the apparent simplicity of the idea, the emulator allows for the execution of a basic Linux experience, although with limitations such as errors and slowness. This development has attracted the attention of other enthusiasts, such as developer Enderman, who joined the effort by adding input support and sharing a demonstration video that illustrates the steps of the experiment.

NSG650, for its part, admitted that its achievement was only partially validated as it did not rewrite the emulator in pure VBA nor used Excel formulas, which raises questions about the authenticity of the phenomenon. However, it is undeniable that its curiosity and ingenuity have allowed it to carry out this feat in one of Microsoft’s most popular tools. The community has begun to compare this type of experiment with the classic video game Doom, which has been ported to a variety of systems over the years.

Beyond Linux in Excel, NSG650 has explored other notable projects; in 2023, for example, it introduced BugCheck2Linux, a tool that runs Linux after a Windows blue screen. These innovations highlight how Excel has become a focal point for creative hacks, generating fresh interest around software that many consider traditional.

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