will Excel open Works?

[Matt]

I lost my old computer and most of my work was done on Microsoft Works
spreadsheets. Well my replacement system only has Office 2000 with Excel
and I can't seem to open any of the old Works files. Is there a work around
for this or am I just out of luck?

 

[Judy Freed]

You don't say what version of Works you were using, but if you open Excel,
then select File, Open from the menu, in the Types of Files drop down list,
there is an entry for Microsoft Works 2.0. See if you can open it that way.

Judy Freed

 

[Matt]

Sorry about that... I'm using Works 4.0 and unfortunately that didn't work.
I know Works will let you save as and Excel document... I guess I'm going to
have to find someone with My version of Works and ask a huge favor.

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
a repost from Ken Wright to convert MS Works files:
-----

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, 200xfiles
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

 

[Matt]

Hi
a repost from Ken Wright to convert MS Works files:
-----

thanks for the link!

 

[Harlan Grove]

Sorry about that... I'm using Works 4.0 and unfortunately that
didn't work. I know Works will let you save as and Excel
document... I guess I'm going to have to find someone with My
version of Works and ask a huge favor.

Actually any later version of Works would be able to open Works 4 files.

For that matter, you can buy 'late model' but still more recent versions of
Works from various online sources like Amazon for about US$35 with shipping.