Loading Lotus 1-2-3 Files Using File Associate from Windows (73138)

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Some applications accept command line parameters to load a specific file. For example, typing loads a document file named TEST into Microsoft Word.

Lotus 1-2-3 versions 3.0 and 3.1 do not support filenames as a command line parameter to load files directly. Attempting to load a file called TEST.WK3 into Lotus 1-2-3 version 3.0 or 3.1 by typing produces the following error: A similar MS-DOS-based error occurs if you attempt to load .WK3 files from Windows File Manager using the File Associate Command. This is a limitation of Lotus 1-2-3 versions 3.0 and 3.1 and is not a Windows problem.

Lotus works around this problem with the use of a 123.BAT batch file and an AUTO123.WK3 auto-execute macro. The 123.BAT file creates a text file with the name and path of the file to be loaded and then loads 123.EXE. The AUTO123.WK3 file reads the filename and path information from the text file and loads the desired file.

In Windows File Manager, the File Associate command associates .WK3 files with 123.BAT instead of 123.EXE.

Specific information on the creation of the 123.BAT file and the AUTO123.WK3 is available from Lotus in a technical note called "Loading a 123 3.0 File from the Command Line".

For more information, contact Lotus technical support.

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