Microsoft Excel can open Microsoft Works files saved in the Microsoft Works 2.0 (or earlier) format. To open Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 files in Microsoft Excel, you must first save them in a compatible file format.

Save a Microsoft Works file in a compatible file format

If you want to open a file saved from Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0 in Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later, the file must first be saved in a compatible file format.

1. Open the file in Microsoft Works 3.0 or 4.0.
2. Click Save As on the File menu.
3. From the Save File As Type list, select one of the following file formats:
   • Works for Windows 2.0 (WKS)
   • Excel 4.0/5.0 (XLS)
   • Lotus 1-2-3 (WK1)

   The file format you choose depends on what you want to do with the file after opening it in Excel; for instance, if you want to continue to work on the file in Excel, choose the Excel 4.0/5.0 (XLS) format. If you want to re-open the file in Works, however, select the Works for Windows 2.0 (WKS) format. Excel can also open a file in Lotus 1-2-3 format.

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

Open a Microsoft Works file in Excel

Once your Microsoft Works file is in a compatible format, you can open it in Excel.

1. On the File menu, click Open.
2. In the Look in list, click the drive or folder that contains the file you want to open, and then locate the folder that contains the file.
3. In the Files of type list, click one of the following file types:
   • If the file is in Microsoft Works format, click Microsoft Works 2.0 Files (*.wks).
   • If the file is in Microsoft Excel file format, click Microsoft Excel Files (*.xl*;*.xls;*.xla;*.xlt;*.*.xlm; *.xlc;).
   • If the file is in Lotus 1-2-3 format, click Lotus 1-2-3 Files (*.wk?).
4. Double-click the file you want to open.