XL: Cannot Open Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 Files

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article, you cannot open files that have been saved in the Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 format.

To open a Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 file in Excel versions 5.0 and later, the file must first be saved in a compatible file format in Works. To do this, in Microsoft Works for Windows version 3.0, follow these steps:

1. Open the file that you want Microsoft Excel to be able to open.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. From the Save File As Type list, select one of the following file formats:

      Format                                  Saves File with Extension
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
   
      Works for Windows 2.0/                  WKS
      Works for DOS SS
   
      Excel 4.0/5.0 SS                        XLS
   
      Lotus 1-2-3                             WK1
   					

4. Click OK to save the file in the new format.
5. Close the file before you attempt to open it in Microsoft Excel.

You should now be able to open the file in Microsoft Excel.

This information also applies to Microsoft Works version 3.0 for MS-DOS and Microsoft Works version 3.0 and 4.0 for the Macintosh. In these versions of Microsoft Works, follow the appropriate steps to save the file in any of the above file formats or in the symbolic link (SYLK) file format (which is also compatible with the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above).

When you open a file in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, the List Files Of Type list indicates that one of the file types Microsoft Excel can open is Even though no version information is mentioned, Excel can only open Microsoft Works files that are saved in the Microsoft Works 2.0 (or earlier) format. You cannot open Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 files directly in Excel.

If you attempt to open a Microsoft Works 3.0 file, you receive the following error message: NOTE: If you open the file as text, it is virtually unreadable.