How to Open Lotus 1-2-3 Files on Windows
Excel can’t open .wk1 and .123 files anymore. Here’s the reliable way to open — and convert — your Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets on Windows 10 and 11.
TL;DR
Modern Excel dropped Lotus 1-2-3 support, so the reliable way to open .wk1/.wk3/.wk4/.123 files is to convert them first. Lotus 1-2-3 Converter opens and converts them to Excel, CSV, or PDF locally — free for your first 25 files.
How to convert Lotus 1-2-3 to a modern format — step by step
Install Lotus 1-2-3 Converter (free trial)
Get it from the Microsoft Store or the offline MSI. The trial opens and converts up to 25 files free.
Add the files you can’t open
Drag in your .wk1/.wk3/.wk4/.123 files or point the app at the folder they live in. It detects Lotus content even when extensions are missing.
Pick a modern format
Choose Excel (XLSX) to keep editing, CSV for data work, or PDF for a fixed record.
Open the converted files
Your Lotus spreadsheets now open normally in modern software — no ancient Lotus install needed.
Why won’t my Lotus 1-2-3 files open?
Microsoft removed Lotus 1-2-3 import filters from Excel, and Lotus itself hasn’t shipped in decades. That leaves millions of .wk1, .wk3, .wk4, and .123 files that no current program will open directly.
The dependable fix is to convert the files to a modern format. Once converted to XLSX, CSV, or PDF, they open in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice, or any PDF viewer — on any machine, with no legacy software required.
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 I open Lotus 1-2-3 files without converting them?
There’s no reliable modern viewer for .wk1/.123 files — Excel and LibreOffice have both dropped support. Converting to XLSX, CSV, or PDF is the dependable way to get the content back.
What file extensions do Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets use?
The common ones are .wks, .wk1, .wk3, .wk4, and .123, spanning the DOS and Windows versions of Lotus 1-2-3. All are supported.
Related
Open your Lotus 1-2-3 files today
Free trial opens and converts 25 files — Excel, CSV, or PDF, fully offline.
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 |
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