# Getting Started

A tutorial on how to get started using the stand-alone SpreadJS Designer, including install directories, licensing, and add-ons

## Content

## System Requirements

SpreadJS Designer Desktop is an Electron-based application. The following minimum operating system versions are required:

| Platform | Minimum Version |
| -------- | --------------- |
| Windows | Windows 10 |
| macOS | macOS 12 Monterey |
| Linux | Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |

>type=warning
> **Important:** Starting from version 19.1, SpreadJS Designer Desktop no longer supports the following operating systems:
>
> * Windows 7, Windows 8 / 8.1
> * macOS 11 Big Sur and earlier
> * Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

### macOS Architecture Support (Breaking Change in 19.1)

Starting from version 19.1, SpreadJS Designer Desktop for macOS is available only for Apple Silicon (Arm64) devices.
The Intel (x86\_64) build is no longer provided.
If you are using a Mac device with an Intel processor, you can use one of the following alternatives:

* SpreadJS Designer Online
* SpreadJS VS Code Extension

## Installation

You can install the SpreadJS Designer by downloading the SpreadJS ZIP file (SpreadJS.Release.xxxx.zip) to a temporary directory on your system and then execute the preferred setup file after unzipping the files to a directory.

> **Note:** The SpreadJS Designer is already included in the SpreadJS product download.

| **Install Directory** | **File** | **Description** |
| ----------------- | ---- | ----------- |
| @rows=4:\\SpreadJS.Release.xxxx\\Designer\\Designer Runtime |  | Main directory for product |
| SpreadJS-Designer.xxx.exe | Setup for Windows |
| SpreadJS-Designer.xxx.dmg | Setup for MacOS |
| SpreadJS-Designer.xxx.AppImage | Setup for Linux |

## License Information

SpreadJS Designer supports the following types of licenses:

### Unlicensed

The unlicensed version allows you to use all features of SpreadJS Designer for 30 days.

The top bar in the application window displays the following message:

*"Evaluation version (30 day(s) left). Select the LOCK button to activate the Designer before the trial ends."*

A watermark is displayed at the bottom right corner:

![Trial licensing](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/ef9b66d1-0ae2-4e94-b8cb-f9f893aacc8d/Trial%20licensing.6e1d9d.png)

After the expiration of the 30-day trial period, all the import/export actions are disabled. When the Designer is opened, the following message appears at the top:

*"License not found. Select the LOCK button to activate the Designer."*

And the license dialog is shown below:

![image](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/7719ad0a-f083-46d7-aff6-f63e2e187c15/image.76a8dc.png?width=550)

### Evaluation License

The evaluation license allows you to use all features of SpreadJS Designer.
However, the top bar in the application window displays the following message:

*"Evaluation version (30 day(s) left). Select the LOCK button to activate the Designer before the trial ends."*

A watermark is displayed at the bottom right corner.

![evaluation-watermark](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/ef9b66d1-0ae2-4e94-b8cb-f9f893aacc8d/evaluation-watermark.c13cfa.png)

### Licensed

The licensed version allows you to use all the features of SpreadJS Designer.

### Apply License

The license key of SpreadJS Designer should be set in the "License Information" dialog.

![image](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/7719ad0a-f083-46d7-aff6-f63e2e187c15/image.6f4c35.png?width=550)

If an invalid license key is applied through the above dialog, the following messages are displayed at the top and in the spreadsheet area:
![image](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/b2223940-43c2-44cf-8eda-f5ab9acd84f0/image.acdf79.png?width=850)

### Pivot Table Add-on

In version 14.1 or later, the SpreadJS Designer application includes the pivot table add-on by default for the developer's use only. This is not licensed for deployment.