Soft X-ray spectroscopy can be carried out in commercially available spectrometers if the following simple changes are made:(1) an open window gas-discharge X-ray tube (e.g. CGR Elent-10) is used for the excitation of characteristic X-rays,(2) large 2d spacing crystals or multilayers are used to disperse the X-rays and(3) a one micron (or thinner) window is used in the proportional counter.Examples are given of Al, Si, P and S L X-ray and Be, B, C and N K X-ray spectra, measured on a Philips PW 1410 spectrometer. Results using multilayers and organic ester crystals (octadecyl maleate-OHM, 2d 6.25 nm and octadecyl adipate-OAO, 2d 9.12 nm) are compared; the former shows much greater intensity, the latter much better resolution. © 1990 IOP Publishing Ltd.