Works 2000: Some Formatting Is Lost When You Open an Excel Document Saved As .Wks

When you create a Microsoft Excel document and then save the document as a WKS(1-2-3)(*.wks) document, some or all of the cell formatting is lost when the document is opened in the Microsoft Works 2000 Spreadsheet program. The numbers are all correct, but dates and times are changed to the General format, font style and color are changed, and shading and border formatting is lost.

This behavior occurs because Microsoft Excel does not have a converter for Works 2000. The (*.wks) converter listed under Save as type in the Excel Save as dialog box is a Lotus 1-2-3 converter, not a Works converter.

To resolve this issue, save Excel documents in their native format (*.xls). Most of the formatting is preserved when the Excel document is opened using the Works Excel SS (*.xl*) converter. To open an Excel document document in Works 2000, follow these steps:

1. Start Works 2000 Spreadsheet.
2. On the File menu, click Open.
3. In the Files of type box, select Excel SS(*.xl*).
4. Browse to find the file that you want, and then click Open.

NOTE: Some cells may need to have their formulas re-entered.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.