Hi Joe
Microsoft Windows 98 is an Operating System (no longer supported by Microsoft).
Mircosoft Excel is an application or program that is normally used as a spreadsheet for calculations or accountancy. It can also be used as a primative database. This has to be purchased separately (expensive).
It divides the screen up into columns and rows making it ideal to be used as a blank census form. That way you just have to type the informaion into boxes (cells). It looks pretty similar to a census form format.
Excel is either a stand alone program or it is part of the Microsoft Office suite of programs that includes Word, Powerpoint, and Access. If you do not have Microsoft Office or Microsoft Excel you can download a free office suite of programs called Open Office from the site below:
http://download.openoffice.org/index.htmlIf you have Microsoft Word you can insert a table. At the top of the screen click on Table->Insert Table and increase the number of Columns to the required amount. You will probably need to adjust the Page Layout orientation to Landscape in order to accommodate the number of columns and prevent it wrapping on screen. There are a number of limitations to a Word table though especially if you are trying to create a form for the 1901 census. Generally speaking, Excel will not have any restrictions over width.
downside
