We propose a simple spreadsheet-based format, Microarray Gene Expression Tabular (MAGE-TAB), that will become a part of the MAGE microarray data standard and can be used for annotating and communicating microarray data in a MIAME compliant fashion. MAGE-TAB will enable laboratories without bioinformatics experience or support to submit data in a standard format using their favorite spreadsheet application. The MAGETAB format is self-contained, and does not require understanding of MAGE-ML.