Microsoft Excel 5.0 Reads Native Multiplan File Format

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0a - Microsoft Multiplan for MS-DOS, versions 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 4.2

SUMMARY

Microsoft Excel version 5.0 includes a file conversion utility that allows Microsoft Excel to read Microsoft Multiplan files in their native file formats.

MORE INFORMATION

The Multiplan converter, XLCONVMP.DLL, supports loading Multiplan files for versions 2.x, 3.x, 4.2, in all languages, including Kanji. For Microsoft Multiplan version 1.x the files must be saved from Multiplan in a SYLK format. Once you install this utility, you can run it in Microsoft Excel and you can use it to open Multiplan files without choosing a specific file type. Several Multiplan files can be opened at the same time using multi- select in the Microsoft Excel Open dialog box (from the File menu, choose Open). Once a Multiplan file is opened in Microsoft Excel, any macros on the sheet can then be translated using the Macro Translation Assistant.

When you use this utility to open Multiplan files in Microsoft Excel, Multiplan constants and names are preserved, and most formulas and formatting (including bold, italic, underlined, and strikethrough text) are preserved as well. In addition, many of the Multiplan preferences are read in to Microsoft Excel. However, headers, footers, and some formats, such as bar, and some fonts will be lost.

You may occasionally encounter problems when you try to open version 1.x Multiplan files using the converter. If you do, you can work around this problem by using SYLK format.

Formulas with any of the following functions will not be loaded correctly: NAME(), VERSION(), ITERCNT(), and DELTA(). When Microsoft Excel encounters these functions, it generates the following error message:

   File error: data may have been lost

The Multiplan converter does NOT support exporting Microsoft Excel files to Multiplan file formats. Microsoft Excel 2.1 or SYLK file formats must still be used to export data to Multiplan. For more information on saving Microsoft Excel 5.0 files in SYLK format, query in the Microsoft Knowledge Base on the following words:

   SYLK and file and xl5 and formulas

Installing the Multiplan Converter

In Microsoft Excel 5.0 Setup, the Multiplan converter is installed only with the Complete/Custom Setup option. Typical and Minimum installations of Microsoft Excel 5.0 will NOT install the Multiplan converter.

NOTE: Microsoft Office 4.2 setup, which also installs Microsoft Excel 5.0, installs the Multiplan converter regardless of which setup option is chosen (that is, Complete, Typical Or Minimum). However, the converter will only function if you install it with a complete or custom installation.

If the Multiplan converter is not installed when you attempt to open a Multiplan file, Microsoft Excel will generate the following error message:

   Microsoft Excel needs a converter to open this Multiplan file; run the
   Microsoft Excel Setup program to install it.

1. Run Microsoft Excel SETUP.EXE again. Assuming Microsoft Excel 5.0 has already been installed correctly, running this file this will start Microsoft Excel Setup in maintenance mode.

2. Choose Add/Remove to add a component.

   The Microsoft Excel 5.0 Setup--Maintenance Mode dialog box will appear on your screen.

3. From the Options list, select the Tools check box, and choose Change Option.

   The Microsoft Excel 5.0--Tools dialog box will appear on your screen.

4. Under Options, select the Multiplan Converter check box and choose OK. The main Microsoft Excel maintenance mode dialog box will appear.

5. Choose OK, then choose Continue. Microsoft Excel Setup will then install the Multiplan conversion utility.

1. Run Microsoft Office SETUP.EXE again. If Microsoft Office 4.2 has already been installed correctly, this program will start the Setup program in maintenance mode.

2. Choose Add/Remove to add a component.

   The Microsoft Office 4.2 Setup--Maintenance Installation dialog box will appear on your screen.

3. Under Options, choose Microsoft Excel.

4. Select the Change Option button.

   The Microsoft Office 4.2--Microsoft Excel dialog box will appear on your screen.

5. Under Options, select the Tools check box, and then choose Change Option.

   The Microsoft Office 4.2--Tools dialog box will appear on your screen.

6. Under Options, select the Multiplan Converter check box, and choose OK.

7. Choose OK again and then choose Continue.