Open a Microsoft Works file in Excel 2003

[Jean Larson]

Hi,

A friend of mine now has Excel 2003 and is having problems opening his
Works files. This is what he wrote:

"I am still upset that my Excel 2003 will not open a Microsoft Works
file, whereas my Excel in Office 97 did open them."

Does anyone know a way he can open a Works document in 2003.

Jean

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi Jean!

Save the file to an Excel format in Works.

--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.

 

[Ken Wright]

I just fired up 97 and trawled through the list of filetypes available in the
'File Open Type' dropdown, and I see no difference in the works files it will
open. Both 97 & 2003 list Microsoft Works 2.0 files as being an option, so I
don't see how he sees any different functionality between the two versions.
Probably doesn't really help him though because most Works files will be later
than 2.0, but upgrading to 2003 has taken away *no* functionality at all wrt
that.

Generally you would normally open the file in WORKS and then save it down as a
file that Excel can read. .xlr is a native Excel format, or .txt, .csv, dbaseIV
are all formats it can read. You can also find a converter here if you don't
have WORKS.

http://www.rl-software.com/indexjs.htm?/converter/wkscnvxls_e.htm

Text from the website above:-

Microsoft does not provide an import Excel filter for Works-WKS files later than
version 2. (for Works-WPD and Word they do). There is no standard way to convert
a lot of Works-WKS files into the Excel format. You need to save each file out
of Works manually into XLS which is a pain in the neck. Here comes our MS Works
Spreadsheets to Excel Converter. It does not need a Works Installation and you
can use the batch converting wizard (see right side).
a.. Completely integrated into Excel 97/2000/XP, no external program
b.. Imports MS Works Spreadsheet (*.WKS) 3.x ,4.x, 200x files
c.. Convenient, selfextracting and selfinstalling setup procedure
d.. Can be removed completely with standard deinstall procedure
e.. Works with Windows 9x, ME, NT 4, 2000, XP
f.. Our RL-File-Conversion-Wizard is part of the package
g.. Converts cell alignments, font styles, etc.
h.. Excel helper macros to make migration easier
i.. No need for a Works installation
j.. Free Updates: Our registered customers can download the latest version
from our download area at any time

Two articles from Microsoft that deal with Works and the files it can open/save
as.

Works: Sharing Works Files with Other Programs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-ca;271080


Works: Limitations of Sharing Files with Excel
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-ca;269273

 

[Guest]

I have the same problem, but don't have Works on my computer. I'm Secretary of a Committee and one of the Committee members only has Works. I need to convert his report to either Word or Excell 2003 and haven't found a converter yet.

 

[Andy Brown]

one of the Committee members only has Works. I need to convert his report
....

If he has Works, he can Save As Excel (or Word). Then you'll be able to open
it.

Rgds,
Andy