XL5: WK4 Drawing Objects and Worksheet Names Not Converted

ID: Q123266

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you open a Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file, any drawing objects, such as macro buttons, text boxes, and lines are not converted. Additionally, worksheet names are displayed as the Lotus 1-2-3 default A, B, C, and so on.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design. The Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter does not convert drawing objects contained on a worksheet. This includes any of the following items: embedded object, line, polyline, arrow, rectangle, rounded rectangle, arc, ellipse, polygon, freehand, text, button.

Note, however, that embedded chart objects and chart sheets are converted correctly.

Note that in Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4, when you save a file that contains a drawing object to the WK3 file format, you receive the following error message

   Incompatible worksheet information lost during saving

and the drawing object is not saved.

Additionally, if you rename a worksheet in your Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file, the worksheet is displayed with the original default name (A, B, C, and so on) when you open the file in Microsoft Excel.

WORKAROUNDS

To work around this behavior when you open a Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file in Microsoft Excel, add any drawing objects after you open the file in Microsoft Excel. You can also change any worksheet names after you open the file in Microsoft Excel.

Note that you cannot save the file to the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file format in Microsoft Excel.

MORE INFORMATION

To open Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 files in Microsoft Excel, you must obtain the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter. The Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter is available in application note WE1130 "Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter."

For more information about obtaining the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q122583
   TITLE     : XL5: Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows File Converter

Lotus 1-2-3 is manufactured by Lotus Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter README.TXT

For more information about Opening A Document Created By Another Application, choose the Search button in Help and type:

   opening files

KBCategory: kb3rdparty KBSubcategory: xlwin

Additional query words: 5.00 5.00c

Keywords          : xlwin 
Version           : 5.00 5.00c
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: December 18, 1998