Microsoft KB Archive/130498

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XL5: External Link to WK3/WK4 File Returns Incorrect Value

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

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SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you open a file that contains an external link to a Lotus 1-2-3 file (.WK3 or .WK4), the link value displayed in the destination cell may be incorrect.

CAUSE
This behavior occurs when the linked (Lotus 1-2-3) file is closed if the link references a worksheet in the Lotus 1-2-3 file beyond the 26th worksheet (beyond sheet Z by default). When this occurs, the destination cell displays the value contained in the same cell reference on another worksheet in the file; the worksheet with the number of the linked worksheet number minus 26. For example, when you open a file in Microsoft Excel that contains an external link to cell A1 on sheet AA (the 27th worksheet in the .WK3 or .WK4 file), the value displayed in the linked cell is the value contained in cell A1 on sheet A (the first worksheet in the .WK3 or WK4 file).

This behavior occurs if the file that you open in Microsoft Excel (destination) is a Microsoft Excel workbook (.XLS) or a Lotus 1-2-3 file (.WK3 or .WK4).

Note that this problem does not occur with internal links within a Lotus 1- 2-3 file. For example, if a linked cell in a Lotus 1-2-3 file refers to cell A1 on sheet AA in the same file, the linked cell displays the correct value when you open the file in Microsoft Excel.

WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, you can open the source file (the Lotus 1-2-3 WK3 or WK4 file that contains the linked information) in Microsoft Excel also, so that both the source and destination files are open in Microsoft Excel.

Note that the problem still occurs if the source file is open in Lotus 1-2-3.

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0.

MORE INFORMATION
Note that to open a Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file in Microsoft Excel 5.x, you must obtain the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file converter.

For additional information about obtaining the Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 file converter, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q122583 XL5: AppNote: Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter (WE1130)" The Lotus 1-2-3 products included here are manufactured by Lotus Development, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.