How to Convert Lotus 1-2-3 Squeeze Files (.WK!) to Excel
Question details
The user needs to open and convert legacy Lotus 1-2-3 Squeeze files (.WK!) for use in modern spreadsheet applications.
- Product
- Lotus 1-2-3 / Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to access archived or compressed legacy spreadsheet data stored in a .WK! format.
- Observed behavior
- Modern spreadsheet software cannot open .WK! files directly because they are compressed legacy files that require extraction first.
Ensure you have an active antivirus program running before downloading and running any legacy decompression utilities, as older third-party software can sometimes pose security risks.
Extract and Convert the .WK! File Using Legacy Utilities
Use a compatible legacy utility like UnSqueeze to extract the compressed file, then convert it using older software to a modern format.
The .WK! file extension is typically associated with Lotus 1-2-3 Squeeze, an old compression utility. Because the file is compressed, it must be extracted into a standard Lotus format (like .WK1 or .WK3) before any modern application can read it.
Locate and download a trustworthy copy of the original Lotus 1-2-3 Squeeze or an UnSqueeze utility from a reputable software archive. Scan the downloaded executable with your antivirus software.
Run the utility and select your .WK! file to decompress it. The output will be a standard uncompressed Lotus 1-2-3 file.
Open the extracted Lotus file using an older version of Lotus 1-2-3, or a compatible legacy conversion tool that supports .WK1 or .WK3 formats.
Use the 'Save As' or 'Export' function in the legacy software to save the document in a widely supported format, such as .XLS or .CSV, which can be opened by modern spreadsheet programs.
Manage Converted Spreadsheets with WPS Office
Once you have successfully extracted and converted your legacy Lotus files to a standard format like .XLS or .CSV, use WPS Office as a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office to view, edit, and save your data seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .WK! file?
A .WK! file is a compressed spreadsheet file created by Lotus 1-2-3 Squeeze, a legacy add-in used to reduce the file size of Lotus worksheets. It cannot be opened directly and must be decompressed first.
Can modern Excel open Lotus 1-2-3 files natively?
Modern versions of Microsoft Excel and WPS Office do not natively support opening legacy Lotus 1-2-3 files (.WK1, .WK3, .WK4) directly. You usually need to convert them to .XLS or .CSV using older software or specialized conversion tools.
Are UnSqueeze downloads safe?
While some archival sites host legitimate copies of UnSqueeze, older software from third-party sites can sometimes carry malware. Always use an updated antivirus program to scan any utility before running it on your computer.
