Works 2.x Spreadsheets Change Spacing in Works 3.0, 3.0a, 3.0b (118307)

SYMPTOMS

The spacing in a Works 2.x for Windows spreadsheet may appear different when opened in Works 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.0b for Windows. Typically, the column widths will appear smaller and the row heights will appear greater.

This spacing change can make the spreadsheet appear quite different in Works 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.0b, and the spreadsheet may require more pages when printing.

This spacing change is due to modifications made in the basic design of the Works spreadsheet. These changes were needed to add many of the new features for the Works version 3.0, 3.0a, and 3.0b spreadsheet.

Also, Works 3.0 must open a Works 2.0 file with the Works 3.0 default font because the document's font information is not available until after the data in the Works 2.0 file is on the screen.

RESOLUTION

To make the spreadsheet appear as it did in Works 2.x, you will need to change the spacing in Works 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.0b until it appears the way it did in Works 2.x. You can change the column widths and row heights manually, or you can try reducing the font size on the spreadsheet to change the spacing automatically. Changing the font, for example, from Arial 12 to Arial 10 may make up for the spacing change. (For information about changing column widths, row heights, and font sizes, see your "Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide.")

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Change the default font in Works 3.0 to the font used in the Works 2.0 file. You may need to set this font to one or two sizes larger. As a example, if Works 2.0 is using a Times New Roman 8 font, set the Works 3.0 default font to Times New Roman 12.

For more information about changing the default font in Works 3.0, see your "Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide."

MORE INFORMATION

Works 2.x uses a character-based file format for the spreadsheet, while Works 3.0, 3.0a, and 3.0b use a graphics-based file format similar to Excel 4.x for the spreadsheet. This change was necessary to add new features such as cell shading to Works 3.0, 3.0a, and 3.0b. This change in file formats results in the spacing changes observed when opening a Works 2.x file in Works 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.0b.

Steps to Reproduce Problem

Create a new spreadsheet in Works 2.x using the Arial font size 12.
Type some text in cells A1, B1, and C1.
Format column width for A to 20, for B to 32, and for C to 28.
Save the file and open it in Works 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.0b.
If the font is not already set to Arial 12, change it so that it is Arial 12.

Notice that the column widths have changed with A at 17, B at 27, and C at 24. Selecting the entire spreadsheet and changing the font size to 8 returns the column widths to their original size.