XL: Cannot Open Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 Files

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article, you cannot open files saved in the Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 format.

WORKAROUND

In order for Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later to open a file saved from Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0, the file must first be saved in a compatible file format. To do this in Microsoft Works for Windows version 3.0, do the following:

1. Open the file that you want Microsoft Excel to be able to open.

2. From the File menu, choose Save As.

3. From the Save File As Type list, select one of the following file formats:

      Format                                  Saves File with Extension
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
   
      Works for Windows 2.0/                  WKS
      Works for DOS SS
   
      Excel 4.0/5.0 SS                        XLS
   
      Lotus 1-2-3                             WK1
   
   

4. Click OK to save the file in the new format.

5. Close the file before you attempt to open it in Microsoft Excel.

This information also applies to Microsoft Works version 3.0 for MS-DOS and Microsoft Works version 3.0 and 4.0 for the Macintosh. In these versions of Microsoft Works, use the appropriate steps to save the file in either one of the above file formats or in the symbolic link (SYLK) file format (which is also compatible with the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above).

MORE INFORMATION

When you open a file in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, the List Files Of Type list indicates that one of the file types Microsoft Excel can open is

   Microsoft Works Files (*.WKS)

If you attempt to open a Microsoft Works 3.0 file, you will receive the following error message:

   Cannot read this binary file. If the file was created in a version
   of Microsoft Excel later than 5.0, use that version to save it as a
   Microsoft Excel 5.0 file. Open file as text?