Excel and Lotus DIF File Differences

 Last reviewed: August 20, 1995
Article ID: Q60997

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 2.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

A DIF (Data Interchange Format) file created by Microsoft Excel differs from one created by Lotus 1-2-3. This may pose a problem for those programs such as Charting Gallery, which require imported data to be Lotus DIF compatible.

MORE INFORMATION

All parts of Lotus and Excel DIF files are similar except for the VECTORS and TUPLES entries. The following table would create the respective VECTORS and TUPLES entries in a DIF file: 

    A      B      C       D
  _________________________________
1 |      1989    1988    1987
2 | MARY   10       8       5
3 | SAM     9       8       6

          EXCEL:                LOTUS:

         VECTORS                VECTORS
          0,3                     0,4
         TUPLES                 TUPLES
          0,4                     0,3
In order to make the Microsoft Excel DIF file compatible with the Lotus format, use a text editor and swap the VECTORS and TUPLES number entries.

KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 7.00 5.00 2.00 2.01 2.10 3.00 4.00

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: August 20, 1995
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.