XL: Linked Cell in WK3/WK4 File Displays #NAME? or Zero

• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you open a Lotus 1-2-3 WK3 or WK4 file that contains a link to a name in another Lotus 1-2-3 WK3 or WK4 file, one of the following occurs if the name is defined on a worksheet other than the first worksheet in the Lotus 1-2-3 file:

   Lotus WK3 File
   --------------

   When you open the file, the linked cell displays the value zero.

   Lotus WK4 File
   --------------

   When you open the file, you receive the following error message:

      This document contains links. You can re-establish them with the Edit
      Links command."

   When you choose OK, the linked cell displays the #NAME? error value.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you open a WK3 or WK4 file that references a name defined in another file, if the referenced file is not open, because a reference to a name defined on a worksheet other than the first worksheet in the file is not converted. For example, if you open a WK3 or WK4 file that contains the following formula

   +<<TEST.WK4>>rangename

In this case, choosing the Update Now button in the Links dialog box does not update the link.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: In Lotus 1-2-3, when you reference a range of cells in another

          file, use  the cell range reference, such as +<<TEST.WK4>>B:A1,
          instead of a  defined name.

          after you  open the file that contains the reference.

          referenced  file to the Microsoft Excel Workbook format, do the
          following:

          a. Open the file that contains the reference.

          b. Choose Links from the Edit menu.

          c. Choose the Open Source button.

          d. Switch to the file that contains the reference. Save the file
             to the Microsoft Excel Workbook format.

          e. Switch to the referenced file. Save the file to the Microsoft
             Excel Workbook format.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q122890
   TITLE     : XL5: Exporting Lotus 1-2-3 Linked Files to Excel

   ARTICLE-ID: Q123262
   TITLE     : XL5: External Link in WK4 File Displays #REF! Error Value

You can obtain this Application Note from the following sources:

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
• The Internet (Microsoft anonymous ftp server)
• The Microsoft Network (MSN)
• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
• Microsoft Product Support Services

   ARTICLE-ID: Q122583
   TITLE     : XL5: Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows File Converter

REFERENCES

Lotus 1-2-3 WK4 File Converter README.TXT

For an Overview Of Linking Microsoft Excel Workbooks, choose the Search button in Help and type:

   linking, workbooks