Older Excel releases hid games inside the software; a newer Space Invaders-style game takes a different route, running as a community-made VBA project in a macro-enabled workbook. The two are not the same kind of Easter egg: one was tucked into Microsoft products, while the other is an independent project described as playable in desktop Excel.
What happened to Excel’s hidden games?
Several older Excel versions are associated with hidden games: Excel 95 with the Hall of Tortured Souls, Excel 97 with a flight simulator, and Excel 2000 with Dev Hunter. These were separate Easter eggs included in earlier software releases, not features of the later community game.
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A September 18, 2026, account from How-To Geek, syndicated by Yahoo Tech, connects the disappearance of Easter eggs to Microsoft’s 2002 Trustworthy Computing shift toward security and reliability. That is a commonly reported historical explanation, not evidence that Microsoft formally ended every Easter egg on a precise date. Former Microsoft executive Ed Fries discussed the culture around the Excel 97 flight simulator and other software eggs in a 2022 interview; that retrospective is useful context, not a formal policy record. Ed Fries interview
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Excel-SpaceInvader is attributed to the Evanml2030 GitHub account and is described as an open-source VBA implementation of a classic arcade shooter. The recent account calls its macro-enabled workbook “Space Defenders.” Rather than being hidden in a Microsoft release, it is a downloadable workbook intended to be played in desktop Excel.
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| Aspect | Older Excel Easter eggs | Excel-SpaceInvader |
|---|---|---|
| Who made it | Microsoft product developers | Independent community project attributed to Evanml2030 |
| How it was delivered | Hidden in older Excel software releases | As a macro-enabled workbook |
| What is established | Historical examples are associated with Excel 95, 97, and 2000 | A recent article describes the game and its controls; current maintenance and compatibility are not established |
How the workbook game is described
The reported controls are straightforward: move left or right with the arrow keys and fire with the Spacebar. The article describes VBA as managing the game state, movement, enemies, projectiles, collisions, and recurring updates. It says DoEvents lets Excel process events while the game loop runs.
For input and timing, the account names Windows API calls: GetAsyncKeyState from user32.dll for keyboard input, and QueryPerformanceCounter and QueryPerformanceFrequency from kernel32.dll for timing. These are the article’s descriptions of the project, not independently tested findings here.
Rank #2
- Officially Licensed: This is an officially licensed Taito title, ensuring an authentic gaming experience.
- 🕹️ Retro Gaming: SPACE INVADERS Pocket Player is a must-have for any retro gaming enthusiast or collector. Features artwork inspired by the original Space Invaders arcade cabinet. Built-in speaker with volume control.
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack lets you enjoy SPACE INVADERS on the go on your own privately.
- Portable Gameplay: Powered by 4 AA batteries (not included) or by a USB-C cable (not included).
- High Resolution: This collectible game features a high-resolution 2.75-inch full-color display, allowing you to immerse yourself in the classic gameplay
Safety and compatibility caveats
A macro-enabled workbook can execute code, so opening an unfamiliar file deserves caution. The article says its author opened the workbook in Safe Mode and inspected its VBA before playing. That is the author’s account of their inspection, not a general safety guarantee for the repository or any copy you download.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Do not enable macros for a workbook unless you trust its source and have reviewed the file appropriately.
- Excel security settings can vary by version and organization policy. The article also advises restoring ActiveX settings after play; follow the applicable guidance for your own Excel installation rather than assuming one universal setting path.
- The current project’s maintenance status, license, download structure, and compatibility with current Excel versions have not been established. Do not assume it will run on every computer or Excel edition.
Older Code Review discussions from 2018 also point to the repository and mention setup issues such as hard-coded image paths and identifying the correct workbook file. Those comments are historical and should not be treated as current setup instructions. Code Review discussions
Quick Recap
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Rank #3
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- 100 Yen coin button to add credits for arcade gameplay. Features a Metallic full color gift box, and individually numbered holographic sticker
- Volume control and 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Power with a Micro-USB cable (not included) or 4 AA batteries (not included).
- Features unique design which replicates the original cabinet, including the revolutionary reflected screen and backlit Moonscape.
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