Excel: Opening a WK3 File with 3-D Links

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2, version 3.0

SUMMARY

When you open a Lotus 1-2-3 WK3 file in Microsoft Excel for Windows, the following occurs:

   Microsoft Excel Version 3.0
   ---------------------------

   Microsoft Excel version 3.0 opens WK3 files with 3-D links in a
   workspace and modifies the filename by appending a lowercase
   letter starting with "b" to the filename. Microsoft Excel 3.0
   cannot translate formulas containing 3-D references, however
   Microsoft Excel will bring across the corresponding value.

   Microsoft Excel Versions 4.0 and 4.0a
   -------------------------------------

   Microsoft Excel version 4.0 or 4.0a opens WK3 files with 3-D links
   in a workbook and modifies the filename by appending an uppercase
   letter starting with "A" to the filename. Microsoft Excel version
   4.0 or 4.0a translates formulas containing 3-D references
   correctly.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel Version 3.0

Microsoft Excel 3.0 opens WK3 files with 3-D links in a workspace, and modifies the filename by appending a lowercase letter starting with "b" to the filename. For example, if your WK3 file is called "EXAMPLE.WK3", and it has 4 plies, it will be opened as follows:

   EXAMPLE.WK3, EXAMPLEb.WK3, EXAMPLEc.WK3, and EXAMPLEd.WK3.

    Cannot convert 3-D reference:[reference]
    Total number of file errors:[number]

Note: This is not a problem in Microsoft Excel 4.0.

Microsoft Excel 3.0 does not handle 3-D referencing. In most cases, Microsoft Excel will bring across the corresponding values correctly and will also generate a note in the cell in which the 3-D reference was located. The note will state that the "Formula Failed to Convert."

A 3-D reference will reference multiple sheets without specifying all of the corresponding sheet names. For example, in Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3.x, the following formula adds cell A1 of sheets (plies) A, B, C, and D:

   Sum(A:A1..D:A1)

Microsoft Excel version 4.0

Microsoft Excel 4.0 opens WK3 files with 3-D links in a workbook, and modifies the filename by appending an uppercase letter starting with "A" to the filename. For example, if your WK3 file is called "EXAMPLE.WK3", and it has 4 plies, it will be opened as follows:

   [EXAMPLE. WK3]A, [EXAMPLE.WK3]B, [EXAMPLE.WK3]C, and
   [EXAMPLE.WK3]D.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 56-62 "Switching to Microsoft Excel from Lotus 1-2-3," version 4.0, pages 24-26