XL98: Function Values Change When You Save in the Lotus 1-2- 3 Format (185312)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q185312

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you save a workbook in the Lotus 1-2-3 WK3 or WK4 format, some cells may be changed so that they contain incorrect values. When you reopen the file that you have saved in the Lotus 1-2-3 format, the cell that previously contained a formula contains only a value that is not correct.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if you use Excel functions that return floating point numbers and the functions are not available in the Lotus format.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 98.

MORE INFORMATION

When you save an Excel workbook that contains functions that are not available in Lotus as a WK4 or WK3 format, the following message appears:
A formula in cell (Cell: <cell ref>) could not be converted because it contains a function that is not available in the format to which you are saving. If you continue the save, the formula and result will be saved, but the function itself will be converted to an error value.

Do you want to see additional errors as they occur so you can fix them later?
If any cell you referenced produces a floating point value, the value that replaces the function is not correct.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

123261 XL: Formulas Failed to Convert Error Opening WK4 File

176802 XL98: Values Incorrect When Formulas Saved in WK3 or WK4 Format

185415 XL98: Functions Are Not Saved in Lotus 1-2-3 Format

REFERENCES

For more information about Lotus 1-2-3, click Contents And Index on the Help menu (or on the Balloon Help menu if you are using a version of the Macintosh operating system earlier than 8.0), click the Index button in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

lotus 1-2-3, converting files

and then click Show Topics. Select the "Convert worksheets between Lotus 1- 2-3 and Microsoft Excel" topic, and click Go To. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/11/2002
Keywords:kbbug kbconversion KB185312
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.