The theoretical prediction and experimental study of 5-core-linear-array fiber are implemented in this paper according to two different excitation methods. The far field supermode distributions of 5-core-linear-array fiber are calculated and the beam qualities under two different excitation methods are also analyzed. The results may provide a basis for high power fiber lasers or for fiber lasers which have particular spot shape and are also helpful for similar microstructure fibers applied in laser areas.