The invention relates to a dextrose in powder form, characterised in that it has a dextrose content at least equal to 99%, an &agr; crystalline form content at least equal to 95%, a water content at most equal to 1% and a compressibility, determined according to a test A, at least equal to 80 N, preferably in the range 100 N and 200 N. The invention also relates to the use of said dextrose in powder form as a sweetener or excipient, particularly in food or pharmaceutical compositions, for example, for the preparation of confectionery or of tablets to be sucked, chewed, dissolved or swallowed.