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Stock Option Agreement - Microsoft Corp. and Visio Corp.

                            STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


  STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated September 14, 1999, between Microsoft
Corporation, a Washington corporation ('Grantee'), and Visio Corporation, a
Washington corporation ('Issuer').


                             W I T N E S S E T H:


  WHEREAS, Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization dated as of the date hereof (the 'Reorganization Agreement'),
which agreement has been executed by the parties hereto immediately prior to
this Agreement; and

  WHEREAS, as a condition to Grantee's entering into the Reorganization
Agreement and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the
Option (as hereinafter defined):

  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein and in the Reorganization Agreement, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

  1.  Grant of Option.

(a)  Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional, irrevocable option (the
     'Option') to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up to 6,012,500 fully
     paid and nonassessable shares (such shares, together with any other
     securities or other property resulting from any adjustment pursuant to
     Sections 5 or 6 of this Agreement, being referred to herein as the 'Option
     Shares') of Issuer common stock, $0.01 per value per share ('Common Stock')
     at a price of $42.78  per share (the 'Option Price'); provided, however,
     that in no event shall the number of Option Shares for which this Option is
     exercisable exceed 19.9% of Issuer's issued and outstanding common shares.
     The number of Option Shares that may be received upon the exercise of the
     Option and the Option Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.


(b)  In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued or
     otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than
     pursuant to this Agreement), the number of shares of Common Stock subject
     to the Option shall be increased so that, after such issuance, it equals
     19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding
     without giving effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the
     Option.  Nothing contained in this Section 1(b) or elsewhere in this
     Agreement shall be deemed to authorize Issuer or Grantee to breach any
     provision of the Reorganization Agreement.

  2.  Exercise of Option.

 
(a)  Grantee may exercise the Option, in whole or part, if, but only if,  a
     Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred prior to the
     occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as hereinafter defined),
     provided that Grantee shall have sent the written notice of such exercise
     (as provided in subsection (d) of this Section 2) on or prior to the last
     day of the one (1) year period following such Triggering Event (the 'Option
     Expiration Date').  The right to exercise the Option shall terminate upon
     the first to occur of the Option Expiration Date and the Exercise
     Termination Event.  Each of the following shall be an Exercise Termination
     Event:  (i) the Effective Time of the Merger; and (ii) termination of the
     Reorganization Agreement in accordance with the provisions thereof if such
     termination occurs prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event in
     circumstances under which the fee specified in Section 8.3(b) of the
     Reorganization Agreement cannot become payable.

(b)  The term 'Triggering Event' shall mean the occurrence of any event or
     circumstance that results in the fee specified in Section 8.3(b) of the
     Reorganization Agreement becoming payable to Grantee.

(c)  Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence of any
     Triggering Event, it being understood that the giving of such notice by
     Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of Grantee to exercise the
     Option.

(d)  In the event Grantee is entitled to and wishes to exercise the Option, it
     shall send to Issuer a written notice (the date of which being herein
     referred to as the 'Notice Date') specifying (i) the total number of shares
     it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not
     earlier than three business days nor later than 40 business days from the
     Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the 'Closing Date'); provided
     that if prior notification to or approval of any regulatory agency is
     required in connection with such purchase, Grantee shall promptly file the
     required notice or application for approval and shall expeditiously process
     the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to this
     sentence shall run instead from the date on which any required notification
     periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been
     obtained and any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed.
     Any exercise of the Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice Date
     relating thereto.

(e)  At the closing referred to in subsection (d) of this Section 2, Grantee
     shall pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of Common
     Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately
     available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer,
     provided that failure or refusal of Issuer to designate such a bank account
     shall not preclude Grantee from exercising the Option.

(f)  At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately available
     funds as provided in subsection (e) of this Section 2, Issuer shall deliver
     to Grantee a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares
     of Common Stock purchased by Grantee and, if

                                      -2-

 
     the Option should be exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the
     rights of Grantee thereof to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable
     hereunder, and Grantee shall deliver to Issuer a copy of this Agreement and
     a letter agreeing that Grantee will not offer to sell or otherwise dispose
     of such shares in violation of applicable law or the provisions of this
     Agreement.

(g)  Certificates for Common Stock delivered at a closing hereunder may be
     endorsed with a restrictive legend that shall read substantially as
     follows:

          'The transfer of the shares represented by this certificate is subject
          to certain provisions of an agreement between the registered holder
          hereof and Issuer and to resale restrictions arising under the
          Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A copy of such agreement is on
          file at the principal office of Issuer and will be provided to the
          holder hereof without charge upon receipt by Issuer of a written
          request therefor.'

     It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale
     restrictions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act') in
     the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s)
     without such reference if Grantee shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of
     a letter from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'),
     or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
     Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for purposes of the
     1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions to this Agreement in the
     above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s)
     without such reference if the shares have been sold or transferred in
     compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and under circumstances
     that do not require the retention of such reference; and (iii) the legend
     shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding clauses
     (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall bear
     any other legend as may be required by law.

(h)  Upon the giving by Grantee to Issuer of the written notice of exercise of
     the Option provided for under subsection (d) of this Section 2 and the
     tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately available funds,
     Grantee shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common
     Stock issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer
     books of Issuer shall then be closed or that certificates representing such
     shares of Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to Grantee.
     Issuer shall pay all expenses, and any and all United States federal, state
     and local taxes and other charges that may be payable in connection with
     the preparation, issue and delivery of stock certificates under this
     Section 2 in the name of Grantee or its assignee, transferee or designee.

  3.  Certain Agreements of Issuer.  Issuer agrees:  (i) that it shall at all
times maintain, free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued
or treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without
additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to

                                      -3-

 
purchase Common Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through
reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any
other voluntary act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any
of the covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed
hereunder by Issuer; and (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to
time be required (including complying with all premerger notification, reporting
and waiting period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. (S) 18a and regulations
promulgated thereunder) in order to permit Grantee to exercise the Option and
Issuer duly and effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto.

  4.  Replacement Agreements and Options.  This Agreement (and the Option
granted hereby) are exchangeable, without expense, at the option of Grantee,
upon presentation and surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of
Issuer, for other Agreements providing for Options of different denominations
entitling the holder thereof to purchase, on the same terms and subject to the
same conditions as are set forth herein, in the aggregate the same number of
shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder.  The terms 'Agreement' and
'Option' as used herein include any Stock Option Agreements and related Options
for which this Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged.  Upon
receipt by Issuer of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or
destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and
cancellation of this Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a
new Agreement of like tenor and date.

  5.  Anti-Dilution.  The number of Option Shares purchasable upon the exercise
of the Option shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in
this Section 5.

(a)  In the event of any change in Common Stock by reason of stock dividends,
     split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, subdivisions,
     conversions, exchanges of shares or the like, the type and number of shares
     of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise hereof shall be appropriately
     adjusted.

(b)  Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise
     hereof is adjusted as provided in this Section 5, the Option Price shall be
     adjusted by multiplying the Option Price by a fraction, the numerator of
     which shall be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
     prior to the adjustment and the denominator of which shall be equal to the
     number of shares of Common Stock purchasable after the adjustment.

(c)  In the event Issuer shall at any time after the date hereof and prior to
     the Exercise Termination Event issue or distribute any securities or assets
     in respect of, or in lieu of or in exchange for Common Stock (other than
     pursuant to a dividend paid solely in Common Stock) whether by dividend, in
     a reclassification or recapitalization, or otherwise, Issuer shall make
     such adjustments, if any, in the Option Price and/or the number of shares
     of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option as are necessary

                                      -4-

 
     to fully preserve the interests of the Grantee in the Option.

  6.  Registration Rights.  Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event prior to
an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the request of Grantee delivered
within 30 days of such Triggering Event (whether on its own behalf or on behalf
of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part thereof) or any of the shares
of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), as promptly as practicable prepare,
file and keep current, at Issuer's expense, a shelf registration under the 1933
Act covering any shares issued and issuable pursuant to this Option and shall
use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such registration
statement to become effective and remain current and effective in order to
permit the sale or other disposition of any Option Shares in accordance with any
plan of distribution reasonably requested by Grantee. Issuer will use its best
efforts to cause such registration statement first to become effective and then
to remain effective for such period not in excess of 180 days from the day such
registration statement first becomes effective or such shorter time as may be
necessary to effect such sales or other dispositions. The obligations of Issuer
hereunder to file a registration statement and to maintain its effectiveness may
be suspended for one or more periods of time not exceeding sixty (60) days in
the aggregate if the Issuer board of directors shall have determined in good
faith that the filing of such registration or the maintenance of its
effectiveness would require disclosure of nonpublic information that would
materially and adversely affect Issuer or if Issuer is required under the 1933
Act to include audited financial statements for any period in such registration
statement and such financial statements are not yet available for inclusion in
such registration statement. Grantee shall provide all information reasonably
requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be filed
hereunder. If requested by any such Grantee in connection with such
registration, Issuer shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating
to the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in
respect of customary representations, warranties, indemnities and other
agreements customarily included in such underwriting agreements for the Issuer.
The expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any such registration
statement pursuant to this Section 6 (including any fees related to blue sky
qualifications and filing fees in respect of the SEC or the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.) (collectively, the 'Registration Expenses') will be
for the account of Issuer except for underwriting discounts or commissions or
brokers' fees in respect of shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Grantee and
the fees and disbursements of the Grantee's counsel; provided, however, that
Issuer will not be required to pay for any Registration Expenses with respect to
such registration if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the
request of the Grantee; provided further, however, that if at the time of such
withdrawal Grantee has learned of a material adverse change in the results of
operations, condition, business or prospects of Issuer from that known to
Grantee at the time of its request and has withdrawn the request with reasonable
promptness following disclosure by Issuer of such material adverse change, then
the Grantee will not be required to pay any of such expenses.


  7.  Substitute Options.

(a)  In the event that prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall
     enter 

                                      -5-

 
     into an agreement other than the Reorganization Agreement (i) to
     consolidate with or merge into any person, other than Grantee or one of its
     Subsidiaries, and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of
     such consolidation or merger, (ii) to permit any person, other than Grantee
     or one of its Subsidiaries, to merge into Issuer and Issuer shall be the
     continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger,
     the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or
     exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any
     other property or the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall after
     such merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares and share
     equivalents of the merged company, or (iii) to sell or otherwise transfer
     all or substantially all of its assets to any person, other than Grantee or
     one of its Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, the agreement
     governing such transaction shall make proper provision so that the Option
     shall, upon the consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and
     conditions set forth herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option
     (the 'Substitute Option'), at the election of Grantee, of either (x) the
     Acquiring Corporation (as hereinafter defined) or (y) any person that
     controls the Acquiring Corporation.


(b)  The following terms have the meanings indicated:


(1)  An 'Acquiring Corporation' shall mean (i) the continuing or surviving
     corporation of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
     Issuer), (ii) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the continuing or
     surviving person, and (iii) the transferee of all or substantially all of
     Issuer's assets.



(2)  'Substitute Common Stock' shall mean the common stock to be issued by the
     issuer of the Substitute Option upon exercise of the Substitute Option.



(3)  'Average Price' shall mean the average closing price of a share of the
     Substitute Common Stock for the twenty trading days immediately preceding
     the fifth business day prior to the consolidation, merger or sale in
     question, but in no event higher than the closing price of the shares of
     Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding such consolidation, merger or
     sale; provided that if Issuer is the issuer of the Substitute Option, the
     Average Price shall be computed with respect to a share of common stock
     issued by the person merging into Issuer or by any company which controls
     or is controlled by such person, as Grantee may elect.


(c)  The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the option, provided,
     that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons, be
     the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in
     no event less advantageous to Grantee.  The issuer of the Substitute Option
     shall also enter into an agreement with the then holder or holders of the
     Substitute Option in substantially the same form as this Agreement, which
     shall be applicable to the Substitute Option.

(d)  The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of

                                      -6-

 
     Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Option Price multiplied by the
     number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then exercisable,
     divided by the Average Price.  The exercise price of the Substitute Option
     per share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option
     Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number
     of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then exercisable and the
     denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common
     Stock for which the Substitute Option is exercisable.

(e)  In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
     Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of
     Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute
     Option.  In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for
     more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior
     to exercise but for this clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute Option
     (the 'Substitute Option Issuer') shall make a cash payment to Grantee equal
     to the excess of (i) the value of the Substitute Option without giving
     effect to the limitation in this clause (e) over (ii) the value of the
     Substitute Option after giving effect to the limitation in this clause (e).
     This difference in value shall be determined by a nationally recognized
     investment banking firm selected by Grantee.

(f)  Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection (a) of
     this Section 7 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person that
     controls the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of
     Issuer hereunder.

  8.  Rights of Substitute Option Holders and Substitute Share Owners.

(a)  At the request of the holder of the Substitute Option (the 'Substitute
     Option Holder'), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the 'Substitute
     Option Issuer') shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute
     Option Holder at a price (the 'Substitute Option Repurchase Price') equal
     to (x) the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter
     defined) exceeds (ii) the exercise price of the Substitute Option,
     multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the
     Substitute Option may then be exercised plus (y) Grantee's Out-of-Pocket
     Expenses (to the extent not previously reimbursed), and at the request of
     the owner (the 'Substitute Share Owner') of shares of Substitute Common
     Stock (the 'Substitute Shares'), the Substitute Option Issuer shall
     repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the 'Substitute Share
     Repurchase Price') equal to (x) the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the
     number of Substitute Shares so designated plus (y) Grantee's Out-of-Pocket
     Expenses (to the extent not previously reimbursed).  The term 'Highest
     Closing Price' shall mean the highest closing price for shares of
     Substitute Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding
     the date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the required
     repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives
     notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable.

(b)  The Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the case 
     

                                      -7-

 
     may be, may exercise its right to require the Substitute Option Issuer to
     repurchase the Substitute Option and any Substitute Shares pursuant to this
     Section 8 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer,
     at its principal office, the agreement for such Substitute Option (or, in
     the absence of such an agreement, a copy of this Agreement) or certificates
     for Substitute Shares, as applicable, accompanied by a written notice or
     notices stating that the Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share
     Owner, as the case may be, elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer
     to repurchase the Substitute Option and/or the Substitute Shares in
     accordance with the provisions of this Section 8. As promptly as
     practicable, and in any event within five business days after the surrender
     of the Substitute Option and/or certificates representing Substitute Shares
     and the receipt of such notice or notices relating thereto, the Substitute
     Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Substitute
     Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price and/or to the
     Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price therefor or
     the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not then
     prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

(c)  To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited under
     applicable law or regulation from repurchasing the Substitute Option and/or
     the Substitute Shares in full, the Substitute Option Issuer shall
     immediately so notify the Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute
     Share Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to
     time, to the Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as
     appropriate, the portion of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price and/or
     Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, which it is no longer
     prohibited from delivering, within five business days after the date on
     which the Substitute Option Issuer is no longer so prohibited; provided,
     however, that if the Substitute Option Issuer at any time after delivery of
     a notice of repurchase pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 8 is
     prohibited under applicable law or regulation from delivering to the
     Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate,
     the Substitute Option Repurchase Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase
     Price, respectively, in full (and the Substitute Option Issuer shall use
     its best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal approvals and
     to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order to
     accomplish such repurchase), the Substitute Option Holder or Substitute
     Share Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute Option or
     the Substitute Shares either in whole or to the extent of the prohibition,
     whereupon, in the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly
     (i) deliver to the Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as
     appropriate, that portion of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the
     Substitute Share Repurchase Price that the Substitute Option Issuer is not
     prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to
     the Substitute Option Holder, a new Substitute Option evidencing the right
     of the Substitute Option Holder to purchase that number of shares of the
     Substitute Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of the
     Substitute Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute Option was
     exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a
     fraction, the numerator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
     less Out-of-Pocket Expenses and the portion thereof theretofore delivered
     to the Substitute Option Holder and the denominator of which is the
     Substitute Option Repurchase Price less Out-of-Pocket Expenses, or (B) to
     the Substitute Share Owner, a certificate for the Substitute Option Shares
     it is then so 

                                      -8-

 
     prohibited from repurchasing, assuming that the portion of the Substitute
     Option Repurchase Price theretofore delivered is first applied to the
     payment of Out-of-Pocket Expenses and any remainder is applied to the
     repurchase of Substitute Option Shares.

  9.  Extension of Time.  The period for exercise of certain rights under
Section 2 shall be extended: (i) to the extent necessary to obtain all
regulatory approvals for the exercise of such rights, and for the expiration of
all statutory waiting periods; and (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid
liability under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the '1934 Act') by reason of such exercise.

 10.  Representations and Warranties of Issuer.  Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Grantee as follows:


(a)  Issuer has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
     Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The
     execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by
     the Board of Directors of Issuer and no other corporate proceedings on the
     part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate
     the transactions so contemplated.  This Agreement has been duly and validly
     executed and delivered by Issuer.  This Agreement is the valid and legally
     binding obligation of Issuer, enforceable against Issuer in accordance with
     its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
     or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally and except that the availability of equitable remedies, including
     specific performance, is subject to the discretion of the court before
     which any proceeding therefor may be brought.


(b)  Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve
     and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through
     the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms will have
     reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that number of
     shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common
     Stock at any time and from time to time issuable hereunder, and all such
     shares, upon issuance pursuant hereto, will be duly authorized, validly
     issued, fully paid, nonassessable, and will be delivered free and clear of
     all claims, liens, encumbrances and security interests and not subject to
     any preemptive rights.


(c)  Issuer has taken all action (including if required redeeming all of the
     Rights or amending or terminating the Company's Rights Agreement) so that
     the entering into of this Option Agreement, the acquisition of shares of
     Common Stock hereunder and the other transactions contemplated hereby do
     not and will not result in the grant of any rights to any person under the
     Company Rights Agreement or enable or require the Rights to be exercised,
     distributed or triggered.


  11. Representations and Warranties of Grantee.  Grantee hereby represents and

                                      -9-

 
warrants to the Issuer that (i) Grantee, by reason of its knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters, believes itself capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Common Stock, and (ii)
any shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise
of the Option shall be acquired for Grantee's own account and will not taken
with a view to the public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or
otherwise disposed of except in a transaction registered or exempt from
registration under the 1933 Act.

  12. Limitation of Grantee Profit.

(a)  Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, in no event shall Grantee's
     Total Profit (as defined below) exceed $50 million (the 'Maximum Profit')
     and, if it otherwise would exceed amount, Grantee, at its sole discretion,
     shall either (i) reduce the number of shares subject to the Option, (ii)
     deliver to Issuer for cancellation shares of Common Stock (or other
     securities into which such Option Shares are converted or exchanged), (iii)
     pay cash to Issuer, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing, so that
     Grantee's actually realized Total Profit shall not exceed the Maximum
     Profit after taking into account the foregoing actions.

(b)  For purposes of this Agreement, 'Total Profit' shall mean:  (i) the
     aggregate amount of (A) any excess of (1) the net cash amounts received by
     Grantee pursuant to a sale of Option Shares (or securities into which such
     shares are converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated third party within
     12 months after the exercise of the Option, over (2)  Grantee's aggregate
     purchase price for such Option Shares (or other securities), plus (B) any
     amounts received by Grantee on the transfer of the Option plus (C) any
     amounts received by Grantee pursuant to Section 8.3(b) of the Merger
     Agreement, minus (ii) the sum of amounts of any cash previously paid to
     Issuer pursuant to this Section 12 plus the value of the Option Shares (or
     other securities) previously delivered to Issuer for cancellation pursuant
     to this Section 12.

(c)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, nothing in this
     Agreement shall affect the ability of Grantee to receive, nor relieve
     Issuer's obligation to pay, any payment provided for in Section 8.3 of the
     Merger Agreement; provided that if and to the extent the Total Profit
     received by Grantee would exceed the Maximum Profit following receipt of
     such payment, Grantee shall be obligated to comply with the terms of
     Section 12(a) within 15 days of the latest of (i) the date of receipt of
     such payment, (ii) the date of receipt of the net cash by Grantee pursuant
     to the sale of Option Shares (or securities into which such Option Shares
     are converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party within 12 months
     after the exercise of this Option with respect to such Option Shares, and
     (iii) the date of receipt of net cash from disposition of this Option.

  13. Assignment.  Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its rights
or obligations under this Option Agreement or the Option created hereunder to
any other person, without the express written consent of the other party.

  14. Best Efforts.  Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable efforts
to make all 

                                      -10-

 
filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third parties and governmental
authorities necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; provided that neither Issuer nor Grantee nor any subsidiary or
affiliate thereof will be required to agree to any divestiture by itself or of
any of its affiliates of shares of capital stock or of any business, assets or
property, or the imposition of any material limitation on the ability of any of
them to conduct their businesses or to own or exercise control of such assets,
properties and stock.

  15. Damages an Inadequate Remedy.  The parties hereto acknowledge that
damages would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either
party hereto and that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable
by either party hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief.

  16. Effect of Unenforceability of Terms.  If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state
regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions and covenants and
restrictions contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect,
and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.  If for any reason
such court or regulatory agency determines that Grantee is not permitted to
acquire  the full number of shares of Common Stock provided in Section 1(a)
hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section  5 hereof) it is the express intention
of Issuer to allow Grantee to acquire or to require Issuer to repurchase such
lesser number of shares as may be permissible, without any amendment or
modification hereof.

  17. Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person, by
cable, telegram, telecopy or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of the parties
set forth in the Reorganization Agreement.

  18. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, regardless of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

  19. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

  20. Expenses.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the
parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on
its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including
fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment bankers,
accountants and counsel.

  21. Entire Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in
the Reorganization Agreement, this Agreement and the Reorganization Agreement
constitute the 

                                      -11-

 
entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, with
respect to the subject matter hereof. The terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the
parties hereto, and their respective successors (except as assigns), any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
except as expressly provided herein.

  22. Capitalized Terms.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Reorganization
Agreement.

                                        
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                                      -12-

 
                     SIGNATURE PAGE-STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                        

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
date first above written.

                                    MICROSOFT CORPORATION



                                    By: /s/ Robert A. Shel
                                       ---------------------------
                                    Its: Assistant Secretary
                                        --------------------------



                                    VISIO CORPORATION


                                    By: /s/ Jeremy A. Jaech
                                       ---------------------------
                                    Its: President and Chief
                                         Executive Officer
                                        --------------------------

                                      -13-


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