A process for making a free-flowing, compressible powder by spraying a selected amount of an aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone onto a fluid bed containing a predetermined admixture of starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone therein, and drying. An active-containing tablet then is provided by adding an active material, optionally with a lubricant, to such powder, and compressing the admixture into a commercially acceptable tablet.