Abstract: An excipient for use in manufacture of tablets, capsules, powders, microgranules and granules which consists essentially of a microcrystalline cellulose having an average degree of polymerization of 60 to 375 and obtained through acid hydrolysis or alkaline oxidative degradation of a celulosic substance selected from linters, pulps and regenerated fibers, said microcrystalline cellulose being a white cellulosic powder having an apparent specific volume of 1.6 to 3.1 cc/g, a repose angle of 35.degree. to 42.degree., a 200-mesh sieve residue of 2 to 80% by weight and a tapping apparent specific volume of at least 1.4 cc/g and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient and the excipient. This excipient has improved flowability and moldability or compressibility whereby excellent pharmaceutical preparations may be easily provided.