Spreadsheets problem

[webley445]

Just got a new PC and I tried to transfer some of my Excel sheets to it from the old unit. Original sheets were done using Windows 98SE, this brand spanking new one is running XP and won't read the files.
What should I do?
Tried going to the MS site, but couldn't make heads or tails of what I need to download. All Greek to me. Any advice?
Thanks.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

If you are using a newer version of excell to read them you may have to go to the custom install of it and tell it to install templates or whatever to read the older version files.

 

[Lurker]

You mentioned your operating systems, but not the actual program and version that created the spreadsheet and the one you are trying to open it with. You want to be using MS Excel in both cases and the file should have a .xls filename extension and have been saved in "Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.xls)" format. If that is the case, open Excel on the new machine and use the File/Open command to open it. It should work.

Are you using Excel in both cases, and if so what versions? Or are you trying to use MS Works to open it?

 

[danielo_d]

Do you have MS office [Excel, Powerpoint, Access, etc] on your new PC?
IIRC, Word is usually included with the OS. However, you need to install Office for the the suite of other applications.
Hope this helps...

Danno

 

[PocketBeam]

Also... You can resave teh spreadsheets from the old computer into a different Excel format that the new computer can read. Click on File, then Save As...

 

[webley445]

You're right, the old files are in MS office and the new PC is using MS works.
Guess thats part of the problem?

 

[KevinL]

Definitely part of the problem.

Works is like their "light" version of Office.

If you're in a hurry and you need to read those files quick, you can download OpenOffice which can read most MS Office files. As a bonus, it's totally free. My wallet really likes it.

 

[Chris_Medico]

You can check over at microsoft to see if there are any additional import filters you can download to help. I took a quick look and gere is what I saw - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?productID=A9BEEF69-0571-43F0-BC3D-DE62CD4D190C&freetext=&DisplayLang=en

Chris

 

[webley445]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot. I don't really have a need to alter the files, but they are forms that my wife uses for her home day care business and often have to print them for parents to sign, read, etc.