Old wks spreadsheets

[Snaggletooth]

I have had occasion to revisit some very old files.

These are file type "WKS" or what Microsoft used to call "Works". Microsoft used to package this with its
system before the pre-eminence of Excel and the Office package. Many of you may remember "Microsoft
Works". I don't ever remember anyone paying extra for it, however, it had reasonable single-spreadsheet
capabilities without some of the powerful Excel features.

Now that I have Windows 7, I can't access these old files. The computer offers to open the files under
other programs (none of the which work) or search for downloads on the web. The downloads also don't
work, cost money, or have viruses.

Can anyone refer me to a reliable source where I can install or download the old "Works" ?

[JohnH]

I'm not sure of any of this helps, but it's worth a try. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/chang...cel-79565.html

[FEDUKE404]

Converting old files

Depending on how old your MSWorks product it, it may be in a DOS (non-Windows) format, or more likely an older WIN format (32 bit instead of 64).

IF that's the case, you're pretty much dead in the water as most newer computers do not have a MS-DOS function available.

(FWIW, I have run into a similar problem with some old data files in PFS First Choice - a program that to this day works well. . .if you can find a computer to run it.)

However, you may just have a simple fix: Newer computers ofter have pre-installed (but temporary 90-day versions unless renewed = bought) that grab your old data files. In many cases you can reinstall the older versions and then set the computer to use THAT software when a file of a certain type is encountered. This handles matters such as a *DOC vs *DOCX scenario.

The XLX vs XLXS conversion is a bit more complicated:

http://www.excel-exercise.com/xls-xlsx-file/

JohnH's link may be of interest. The last time I dealt with this issue was when I had a computer (with MS-DOS option) where I could install my very old MS-DOS software and files along with the new WIN version of MSWorks. But that computer is pretty much collecting dust now. . .

FE

[JohnH]

Here's another promising link. I didn't drill down far enough to evaluate their pricing, and you'd probably want to do a little investigative work on the company themselves before downloading their software or paying them any money. But they seem to be addressing the problem you have.

http://www.rl-conversion.com/converter/wks-wdb-to-excel.htm

I recall a time years and years ago when I had a bunch of database files in Appleworks. I badly wanted to convert them to Excel but couldn't figure out how to do it. Finally found a company online which had me send them the files on 3.5 disks, and they would convert them to Excel and return to me. I probably paid them $600 or so over the course of a couple of months, but they saved me thousand of dollars of data entry time. Once they were in Excel, of course, I could do anything I wished with them. There's always a way to do something like this - it's just a matter of finding the most cost-effective solution. Hope you find one that "works" for you.

[Lion]

Ask every techie geek or gamer you find, at least those over a certain age, that might have old computers sitting around with old programs on them. Many love those original games, so those old computers might've been bundled with Works.

[ATSMAN]

I have had occasion to revisit some very old files.

These are file type "WKS" or what Microsoft used to call "Works". Microsoft used to package this with its
system before the pre-eminence of Excel and the Office package. Many of you may remember "Microsoft
Works". I don't ever remember anyone paying extra for it, however, it had reasonable single-spreadsheet
capabilities without some of the powerful Excel features.

Now that I have Windows 7, I can't access these old files. The computer offers to open the files under
other programs (none of the which work) or search for downloads on the web. The downloads also don't
work, cost money, or have viruses.

Can anyone refer me to a reliable source where I can install or download the old "Works" ?

If you can not get hold of Microsoft Works (still available on Craigslist and E-bay) try this http://download.cnet.com/MS-Works-Co...-10424236.html

If you know someone who has an old Vista or early Windows 7 computer that came bundled it may still have Microsoft Works. You can open the file and then save as Excel file and be done!

[Snaggletooth]

Problem Solved

Thanks folks for your help. I wandered around the various links you provided, and found something that works
for me. FWIW, the Works Software doesn't appear to be available, only products that convert the .wks files
into something more usable.