If you try to open an Excel (XLS) file on the PC in this scenario by double-clicking it, you’ll likely get the Windows Cannot Open This File error and the option to browse for an appropriate program. Microsoft Works won’t open Excel files by default. To continue, cancel out of the dialog box and launch the Microsoft Works Spreadsheet application. Next, click File, and then click Open. Navigate to the location of the Excel file. (Remember, if the Excel file is in an email, you’ll need to save it to your PC first.)

In the Files Of Type list, click the file type you’re trying to open, in this case Excel (*.xl*), highlight the file by clicking it, and then click Open. If the Excel spreadsheet you’re trying to view and edit has multiple pages, or worksheets, then you’ll be prompted to open just one at a time. Works can’t handle multiple worksheets.

If the Excel spreadsheet you’re trying to view uses formatting that Works’ Spreadsheet application can’t display, then you’ll typically get an error message stating that the utility was unable to load the associated assets. In this instance, it’s best to save the Excel spreadsheet in a generic format that Works doesn’t have a problem reading. To do this, you’ll need access to Microsoft Office on another PC. Open the Excel document on the PC using Microsoft Office, and then click File and Save As. In the Save As Type list, click Text (Tab delimited) (*.txt). You may have to scroll down to find this option. After selecting this option, click Save. In this generic format, columns are separated by tabs, and any PC with a text reader (such as WordPad), will display the underlying data from the Excel spreadsheet, enabling you to rebuild charts and graphs if necessary.

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