This　paper　gives　a　brief　introduction　to　basic　principle　and　working　mode　of　atomic　force　microscope　(AFM).　Sample　preparation　methods　and　factors　that　affect　the　AFM　imaging　of　polysaccharide　are　described　in　detail.　Advance　in　using　AFM　for　morphological　observation　and　quantitative　study　on　polysaccharide　molecules　are　reviewed.　Research　on　single　molecule　force　spectroscopy　of　polysaccharide　and　determination　and　adjustment　of　conformational　change　of　sugar　residue　are　introduced.　Perspective　on　further　application　of　AFM　in　polysaccharide　investigation　is　presented.　©　2009　Chinese　Academy　of　Agricultural　Sciences.