Convert Lotus 1-2-3 to Excel
Open decades-old Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets in modern Excel — formulas, values, and layout intact, converted in bulk on your own PC.
TL;DR
Install the free Lotus 1-2-3 Converter trial, add your .wk1/.wk3/.wk4/.123 files (or a whole folder), choose Excel (XLSX), and convert. Cell values, formulas, and sheet structure are preserved, and every file stays on your machine.
How to convert Lotus 1-2-3 to Excel (XLSX) — step by step
Install Lotus 1-2-3 Converter (free trial)
Get it from the Microsoft Store or download the offline MSI. The trial converts up to 25 files with every feature enabled — enough to verify your workbooks come out right.
Add your Lotus files or folders
Drag in individual .wk1, .wk3, .wk4, or .123 files, or select an entire folder tree. The converter finds Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets recursively, even when extensions are missing or wrong.
Choose Excel (XLSX) as the output
Select XLSX (you can also emit CSV or PDF in the same run). Pick an output folder to keep your originals untouched.
Convert and open in Excel
Click Convert — files process locally in parallel. Open the workbooks in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets and pick up where the 1990s left off.
Why convert Lotus 1-2-3 files to Excel?
Modern Excel dropped support for Lotus 1-2-3 files years ago, so those .wk1 and .123 spreadsheets simply won’t open anymore. Converting them to XLSX turns frozen archives back into living workbooks you can edit, chart, and share.
For finance, engineering, and government teams, converting Lotus 1-2-3 to Excel unlocks decades of models and ledgers — searchable, auditable, and usable in the tools your organization already runs.
Safer than online Lotus converters
Searching for a "free online Lotus 1-2-3 converter" means uploading your spreadsheets to someone else's server — a real problem for financial models, ledgers, and any confidential data. Lotus 1-2-3 Converter runs entirely on your Windows PC: files are converted locally and never leave your machine. It also handles thousands of files in one batch, which no upload-one-file-at-a-time website can do.
The free trial converts up to 25 files with every feature enabled — for most people that's the whole job. Larger archives are covered by a one-time $29.95 lifetime license. No subscription, no watermarks, no uploads.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to convert Lotus 1-2-3 files to Excel?
Yes. The free trial of Lotus 1-2-3 Converter converts up to 25 files with full features — no signup, no watermarks. For unlimited conversions, a lifetime license is a one-time $29.95 (no subscription).
Is this an online converter? Do my spreadsheets get uploaded?
No. Lotus 1-2-3 Converter is a Windows desktop app — every conversion runs 100% locally on your PC. Nothing is uploaded, which matters for financial models, ledgers, and other confidential spreadsheets that shouldn't be pasted into a random website.
Can I convert an entire folder of Lotus files at once?
Yes. Point Lotus 1-2-3 Converter at a folder (it scans subfolders recursively), select Excel as the output, and it batch-converts everything — thousands of .wk1, .wk3, .wk4, and .123 files in one run.
Which Lotus 1-2-3 file formats are supported?
The classic Lotus 1-2-3 formats — .wks, .wk1, .wk3, .wk4, and .123 — from the DOS and Windows eras, including files with missing or incorrect extensions.
Can Excel open Lotus 1-2-3 files by itself?
Not anymore. Microsoft removed Lotus 1-2-3 import support from Excel, so .wk1/.wk3/.wk4/.123 files fail to open. Converting to XLSX first is the reliable path.
Do formulas and cell references survive the conversion?
Yes. Formulas, values, and sheet structure are mapped to native Excel equivalents so your models stay calculable, not just readable.
Related
Ready to convert your Lotus 1-2-3 files to Excel?
Free trial converts 25 files — full features, no watermarks, everything stays on your PC.
Free trial
Full app features - up to 25 files
Windows 10 or 11
Same free trial whether you use the Microsoft Store or the offline MSI - pick the option that fits your PC or IT policy.
| Microsoft Store InstallerRecommended | Local Windows Installer |
|---|---|
Download Installer Same trial as Store |
More than Lotus files?
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