content: <PAGE>   1
  
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 1996
                                                           Registration No. 333-
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
         S E C U R I T I E S   A N D   E X C H A N G E   C O M M I S S I O N
  
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM S-8
                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                             THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  
                                    APPLIX, INC.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
  
  
            Massachusetts                                        04-2781676
  ---------------------------------                           ------------------
    (State or other jurisdiction                              (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)
  
  
                112 Turnpike Road, Westboro, Massachusetts 01581-2831
                -----------------------------------------------------
                 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  
                            1996 SINPER STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            -----------------------------
                              (Full title of the plan)
  
                              Patrick J. Rondeau, Esq.
                                    Hale and Dorr
                                   60 State Street
                             Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                       --------------------------------------- 
                       (Name and address of agent for service)
  
  
                                   (617) 526-6670
             ------------------------------------------------------------
            (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  
  
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                          -------------------------------
   Title of                        Proposed           Proposed   
  Securities      Amount to        Maximum            Maximum          Amount of
    to be            be         Offering Price       Aggregate       Registration
  Registered      Registered      Per Share        Offering Price        Fee
  ----------      ----------    --------------     --------------    ------------
  
  Common Stock,     88,500         $21.25(1)        $1,880,625.00       $570.00
  $.0025 per        shares
  value
  
  -----------
  
    (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, and
  based on the average of the high and low prices as reported by Nasdaq on
  November 22, 1996 in accordance with Securities Act Rule 457(h).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  <PAGE>   2
  
  
  PART I.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  
        The information required by Part I is included in documents sent or given
  to participants in the 1996 Sinper Stock Option Plan of Applix, Inc., a
  Massachusetts corporation (the "Registrant"), pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
  
  PART II.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  
        Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
                 ------------------------------------------------
  
        The Registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements
  of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as
  amended, the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
  statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  The following documents, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:
  
              (a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
  ended December 31, 1995 as filed with the Commission on April 1, 1996.
  
              (b)  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
  the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the document
  referred to in (a) above.
  
              (c)  Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the
  Commission on October 28, 1994.
  
        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
  post-effective amendment which indicates that all shares of Common Stock offered
  hereby have been sold or which deregisters all shares of Common Stock then
  remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
  be part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.
  
        Item 4.  Description of Securities.
                 --------------------------
  
        Not applicable.
  
     
        Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
                 ---------------------------------------
  
        Not applicable.
  
     
        Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
                 ------------------------------------------
  
  
  
                                        -2-
  <PAGE>   3
  
  
  
        Section 67 of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law provides that a
  corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of
  the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the
  corporation in related capacities against liabilities incurred in connection
  with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be made a party
  by reason of such position, unless such person shall have been adjudicated not
  to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the
  best interest of the corporation.
  
        The Registrant's Articles of Organization provide that a director or
  officer of the Registrant shall be indemnified by the Registrant against all
  expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
  settlement reasonably incurred in connection with any litigation or other legal
  proceeding brought against him by virtue of his position as a director or
  officer of the Registrant unless he is deemed (in the manner provided in the
  Articles of Organization) to have not acted in good faith in the reasonable
  belief that his action was in the best interest of the Registrant. Expenses
  incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be
  advanced by the Registrant to a director or officer, at his request, upon
  receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay such amount if it
  is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification.
  
        In the event of a determination by the Registrant that the director or
  officer did not meet the applicable standard of conduct required for
  indemnification, or if the Registrant fails to make an indemnification payment
  within 60 days after such payment is claimed by such person, such person is
  permitted to petition a court to make an independent determination as to whether
  such person is entitled to indemnification. As a condition precedent to the
  right of indemnification, the director or officer must give the Registrant
  notice of the action for which indemnity is sought and the Registrant has the
  right to participate in such action or assume the defense thereof.
  
        The Registrant's Articles or Organization further provide that the
  indemnification provided therein is not exclusive, and provide that in the event
  that the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law is amended to expand the
  indemnification permitted to directors or officers, the Registrant must
  indemnify those persons to the fullest extent permitted by such law as so
  amended.
  
        The Registrant has purchased and maintains insurance coverage under a
  policy insuring directors and officers of the Registrant against certain
  liabilities which they may incur as directors or officers of the Registrant,
  which may include coverage for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -3-
  <PAGE>   4
  
  
        Item 7.  Exemption From Registration Claimed.
                 ------------------------------------
  
        Not applicable.
  
        Item 8.  Exhibits.
                 ---------
  
        The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated
  herein by reference.
  
        Item 9.  Undertakings.
                 -------------
   
        1.    The Registrant hereby undertakes:
  
              (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
        made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  
              (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
                    the Securities Act;
  
             (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                    after the effective date of the registration statement (or
                    the most recent post-effective amendment therefor) which,
                    individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                    change in the information set forth in the registration
                    statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
                    decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
                    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
                    which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
                    and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
                    in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
                    to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
                    and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
                    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
                    "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
                    registration statement;
  
            (iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan
                    of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
                    statement or any material change to such information in the
                    registration statement;
  
        PROVIDED, HOWEVER that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
        registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
        information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
        paragraphs is contained in
  
  
  
  
                                        -4-
  <PAGE>   5
  
  
  
        periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
        Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
        that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  
              (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
        Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
        new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
        the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
        initial bona fide offering thereof.
  
              (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
        amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
        the termination of the offering.
  
        2. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
  determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
  Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
  Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
  report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
  statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
  securities at that time shall be deemed to be in the initial bona fide offering
  thereof.
  
        3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
  Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
  has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
  such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
  and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
  incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of the Registrant
  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
  has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue.
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -5-
  <PAGE>   6
  
  
                                    SIGNATURES
  
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
  Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
  authorized, in Westboro, Massachusetts, on this 25th day of November, 1996.
  
  
  
                                        APPLIX, INC.
  
  
                                        By: /s/ Jitendra S. Saxena
                                           ----------------------------------  
                                            Jitendra S. Saxena
                                            President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer
  
  
  
                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  
        We, the undersigned officers and directors of Applix, Inc. hereby
  severally constitute and appoint Patrick J. Scannell, Jr. and Patrick J.
  Rondeau, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power
  to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names, in the
  capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed
  herewith and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement and generally
  to do all such things in our name and behalf in our capacities as officers and
  directors to enable Applix, Inc., to comply with the provisions of the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and
  Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may
  be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement
  and any and all amendments thereto.
  
  
        WITNESS our hands and common seal on the date set forth below.
  
  
  
                                        -6-
  <PAGE>   7
  
  
  
  
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
  Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities indicated as of November 25, 1996.
  
  
  Signature                                 Title
  ---------                                 -----
  
  
  /s/ Jitendra S. Saxena                     President,
  -------------------------------           Chief Executive Officer and
  Jitendra S. Saxena                        Director (Principal
                                            Executive Officer)
  
  
  
  /s/ Patrick J. Scannell, Jr.               Vice President,
  -------------------------------           Finance & Administration,
  Patrick J. Scannell, Jr.                  Chief Financial Officer
                                            and Treasurer (Principal
                                            Financial and Accounting
                                            Officer)
  
  
  
  /s/ Richard J. Davis                       Director
  -------------------------------
  Richard J. Davis
  
  
  
  /s/ Paul J. Ferri                          Director
  -------------------------------
  Paul J. Ferri
  
  
  
  /s/ Alain J. Hanover                       Director
  -------------------------------
  Alain J. Hanover
  
  
  
  /s/ David C. Mahoney                       Director
  -------------------------------
  David C. Mahoney
  
  
  
  
  
                                        -7-
  <PAGE>   8
  
  
  
                                    EXHIBIT INDEX
                                    -------------
        
  
  Exhibit
  Number
  -------
  
  4.1         Restated Articles or Organization(1)
  
  4.2         By-Laws(2)
  
  4.3         Specimen Certificate of Common Stock of Registrant(3)
  
  5.1         Opinion of Hale and Dorr
  
  23.1        Consent of Hale and Dorr (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  
  23.2        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand
  
  23.3        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
  
  24.1        Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages of this 
              Registration Statement)
  
  
  --------
  1     Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-85688).
  
  2     Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-85688).
  
  3     Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-85688).
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "APPLIX, INC. 1996 SINPER STOCK OPTION PLAN", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17327}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "APPLIX INC /MA/", "cik": "0000932112", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "042781676", "state-of-incorporation": "MA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-16963", "film-number": "96673564"}, "business-address": {"street1": "112 TURNPIKE RD", "city": "WESTBORO", "state": "MA", "zip": "01581", "phone": "5088700300"}}
text: 1
  
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 1996
                                                           Registration No. 333-
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
         S E C U R I T I E S   A N D   E X C H A N G E   C O M M I S S I O N
  
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM S-8
                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                             THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  
                                    APPLIX, INC.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
  
            Massachusetts                                        04-2781676
  ---------------------------------                           ------------------
    (State or other jurisdiction                              (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)
  
                112 Turnpike Road, Westboro, Massachusetts 01581-2831
                -----------------------------------------------------
                 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  
                            1996 SINPER STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            -----------------------------
                              (Full title of the plan)
  
                              Patrick J. Rondeau, Esq.
                                    Hale and Dorr
                                   60 State Street
                             Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                       --------------------------------------- 
                       (Name and address of agent for service)
  
                                   (617) 526-6670
             ------------------------------------------------------------
            (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  
                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                          -------------------------------
   Title of                        Proposed           Proposed   
  Securities      Amount to        Maximum            Maximum          Amount of
    to be            be         Offering Price       Aggregate       Registration
  Registered      Registered      Per Share        Offering Price        Fee
  ----------      ----------    --------------     --------------    ------------
  
  Common Stock,     88,500         $21.25(1)        $1,880,625.00       $570.00
  $.0025 per        shares
  value
  
  -----------
  
    (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, and
  based on the average of the high and low prices as reported by Nasdaq on
  November 22, 1996 in accordance with Securities Act Rule 457(h).
  2
  
  PART I.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  
        The information required by Part I is included in documents sent or given
  to participants in the 1996 Sinper Stock Option Plan of Applix, Inc., a
  Massachusetts corporation (the "Registrant"), pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
  
  PART II.  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  
        Item 3.  Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
                 ------------------------------------------------
  
        The Registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements
  of Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as
  amended, the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
  statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  The following documents, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission, are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:
  
              (a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
  ended December 31, 1995 as filed with the Commission on April 1, 1996.
  
              (b)  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
  the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the document
  referred to in (a) above.
  
              (c)  Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the
  Commission on October 28, 1994.
  
        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
  post-effective amendment which indicates that all shares of Common Stock offered
  hereby have been sold or which deregisters all shares of Common Stock then
  remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
  be part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.
  
        Item 4.  Description of Securities.
                 --------------------------
  
        Not applicable.
  
     
        Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
                 ---------------------------------------
  
        Not applicable.
  
     
        Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
                 ------------------------------------------
  
                                        -2-
  3
  
        Section 67 of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law provides that a
  corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of
  the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the
  corporation in related capacities against liabilities incurred in connection
  with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be made a party
  by reason of such position, unless such person shall have been adjudicated not
  to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the
  best interest of the corporation.
  
        The Registrant's Articles of Organization provide that a director or
  officer of the Registrant shall be indemnified by the Registrant against all
  expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
  settlement reasonably incurred in connection with any litigation or other legal
  proceeding brought against him by virtue of his position as a director or
  officer of the Registrant unless he is deemed (in the manner provided in the
  Articles of Organization) to have not acted in good faith in the reasonable
  belief that his action was in the best interest of the Registrant. Expenses
  incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be
  advanced by the Registrant to a director or officer, at his request, upon
  receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay such amount if it
  is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification.
  
        In the event of a determination by the Registrant that the director or
  officer did not meet the applicable standard of conduct required for
  indemnification, or if the Registrant fails to make an indemnification payment
  within 60 days after such payment is claimed by such person, such person is
  permitted to petition a court to make an independent determination as to whether
  such person is entitled to indemnification. As a condition precedent to the
  right of indemnification, the director or officer must give the Registrant
  notice of the action for which indemnity is sought and the Registrant has the
  right to participate in such action or assume the defense thereof.
  
        The Registrant's Articles or Organization further provide that the
  indemnification provided therein is not exclusive, and provide that in the event
  that the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law is amended to expand the
  indemnification permitted to directors or officers, the Registrant must
  indemnify those persons to the fullest extent permitted by such law as so
  amended.
  
        The Registrant has purchased and maintains insurance coverage under a
  policy insuring directors and officers of the Registrant against certain
  liabilities which they may incur as directors or officers of the Registrant,
  which may include coverage for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
  
                                        -3-
  4
  
        Item 7.  Exemption From Registration Claimed.
                 ------------------------------------
  
        Not applicable.
  
        Item 8.  Exhibits.
                 ---------
  
        The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated
  herein by reference.
  
        Item 9.  Undertakings.
                 -------------
   
        1.    The Registrant hereby undertakes:
  
              (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
        made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  
              (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
                    the Securities Act;
  
             (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                    after the effective date of the registration statement (or
                    the most recent post-effective amendment therefor) which,
                    individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                    change in the information set forth in the registration
                    statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
                    decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
                    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
                    which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
                    and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
                    in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
                    to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
                    and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
                    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
                    "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
                    registration statement;
  
            (iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan
                    of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
                    statement or any material change to such information in the
                    registration statement;
  
        PROVIDED, HOWEVER that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
        registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
        information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
        paragraphs is contained in
  
                                        -4-
  5
  
        periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
        Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
        that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  
              (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
        Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
        new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
        the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
        initial bona fide offering thereof.
  
              (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
        amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
        the termination of the offering.
  
        2. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
  determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
  Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
  Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
  report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
  statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
  securities at that time shall be deemed to be in the initial bona fide offering
  thereof.
  
        3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
  Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
  has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
  such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
  and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
  incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of the Registrant
  in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
  director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
  has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
  adjudication of such issue.
  
                                        -5-
  6
  
                                    SIGNATURES
  
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
  certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
  requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
  Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
  authorized, in Westboro, Massachusetts, on this 25th day of November, 1996.
  
                                        APPLIX, INC.
  
                                        By: /s/ Jitendra S. Saxena
                                           ----------------------------------  
                                            Jitendra S. Saxena
                                            President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer
  
                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  
        We, the undersigned officers and directors of Applix, Inc. hereby
  severally constitute and appoint Patrick J. Scannell, Jr. and Patrick J.
  Rondeau, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power
  to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names, in the
  capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed
  herewith and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement and generally
  to do all such things in our name and behalf in our capacities as officers and
  directors to enable Applix, Inc., to comply with the provisions of the
  Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and
  Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may
  be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement
  and any and all amendments thereto.
  
        WITNESS our hands and common seal on the date set forth below.
  
                                        -6-
  7
  
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
  Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
  capacities indicated as of November 25, 1996.
  
  Signature                                 Title
  ---------                                 -----
  
  /s/ Jitendra S. Saxena                     President,
  -------------------------------           Chief Executive Officer and
  Jitendra S. Saxena                        Director (Principal
                                            Executive Officer)
  
  /s/ Patrick J. Scannell, Jr.               Vice President,
  -------------------------------           Finance & Administration,
  Patrick J. Scannell, Jr.                  Chief Financial Officer
                                            and Treasurer (Principal
                                            Financial and Accounting
                                            Officer)
  
  /s/ Richard J. Davis                       Director
  -------------------------------
  Richard J. Davis
  
  /s/ Paul J. Ferri                          Director
  -------------------------------
  Paul J. Ferri
  
  /s/ Alain J. Hanover                       Director
  -------------------------------
  Alain J. Hanover
  
  /s/ David C. Mahoney                       Director
  -------------------------------
  David C. Mahoney
  
                                        -7-
  8
  
                                    EXHIBIT INDEX
                                    -------------
        
  
  Exhibit
  Number
  -------
  
  4.1         Restated Articles or Organization(1)
  
  4.2         By-Laws(2)
  
  4.3         Specimen Certificate of Common Stock of Registrant(3)
  
  5.1         Opinion of Hale and Dorr
  
  23.1        Consent of Hale and Dorr (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  
  23.2        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand
  
  23.3        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
  
  24.1        Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages of this 
              Registration Statement)
  
  --------
  1     Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-85688).
  
  2     Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-85688).
  
  3     Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-85688).