Category : Lotus and other Spreadsheets
Archive   : LTSTIPS2.ZIP
Filename : FILECVRT.123

Handing Off Your 1-2-3 Files
(PC Magazine Vol 3 No 7 Apr 17, 1984 by G. D. Hughes, Jr.)

...123 can create several different files types. The three major
file types are the worksheet file (.WKS), the printout file (.PRN), and
a graphics file (.PIC). Confusion may arise when you use the XTRACT
command to save a worksheet's formulas or values to a disk file. The
extension in both these cases is still .WKS, the standard worksheet
extension. These files created with the XTRACT command are different
than those created with the normal SAVE command.
You might use two more types of extensions when you are using
123's Transfer facility. With Transfer, you can convert .WKS to .DIF
files (123 format to DIF format); .WKS files to .DBF files (123 format
to dBASE II format); .DIF files to .WKS files (DIF format to 123
format); .DBF files to .WKS files (dBASE II format to 123 format); .VC
files to .WKS files (VisiCalc format to 123 format). Five file
extensions need to be kept straight: .WKS, .DIF, .PRN, .PIC, and .DBF.
.WKS files can be three possible types: the entire worksheet (formulas
and values, created by the SAVE command), just the values (created by
the XTRACT command), or just the formulas (also created by the XTRACT
command). We will not use the .PIC graphic files and the .WKS formulas
file for this article.

1-2-3 and dBASE II
*Creating a .DBF file from 1-2-3
Here's how to transfer 123 files into dBASE II. The first
important step is to strip off all unused, unnecessary rows and columns
from your 123 file. Also delete any blank columns, worksheet titles,
and footnotes. These are not needed in dBASE and only confuse the
program. It is also helpful to give the first column a column title.
This title will later be used for a field name.
After modifying the worksheet, save the file using the SAVE
command and follow these instructions:
1. From the first entry menu, enter the Translate facility.
2. Select the .WKS to .DBF option.
3. Enter the source drive letter.
4. Enter the source file name (the one you just saved).
5. Enter the destination drive letter.
6. Select the Worksheet option (which translates the entire
worksheet).
7. Select YES (starts the translation).
A dBASE II compatible file should now be created with the .DBF
extension.

*Reading the .DBF file into dBASE II
Follow the dBASE instructions to view, change, or print the new
.DBF file since it is now a standard dBASE file. For instance, enter
the commands .USE and .BROWSE to view the records send from
123.

*Creating a .DBF file from dBASE II
Again, follow the procedures for creating and then saving a
database. The database file will normally have a .DBF extension.

*Reading the .DBF file into 1-2-3
Follow these instructions:
1. Enter the Translate facility from the first entry menu.
2. Select the .DBF to .WKS option.
3. Enter the source drive letter.
4. Enter the source file name.
5. Enter the destination drive letter.
6. Select YES (starts the translation process).
7. Now enter 123 and get the file with the RETRIEVE command.

1-2-3 and WordStar
WordStar requires the .PRN file to interface with 123.
*Creating .PRN file from 1-2-3
To view or modify a 123 worksheet using WordStar, you first have
to create an ASCII print file with a .PRN extension. Follow these
instructions to create this .PRN file:
1. After the worksheet has been created, select the Print
option.
2. Select the File option (prints to a disk file instead of
the printer).
3. Enter the file name (.PRN will be added automatically).
4. Select the Range option.
5. Using the range select methods, choose the section of the
worksheet you want to copy. The selected area should be
in reverse video or highlighted.
6. Select the Go option (starts printing to disk).
Now a .PRN file has been created.

*Reading the .PRN file into WordStar
Follow these steps:
1. From the beginning menu, select D (to open a document
file).
2. Enter the filename with the .PRN extension.
The file should now be present on the screen.

*Creating a .PRN file from WordStar
This is even easier to do than reading a .PRN file. It just takes
one step. With the file on the WordStar editing screen, enter Ctrl-KX.
This command will save the file and exit WordStar. Just make sure that
you named the file with a .PRN extension.

*Reading the .PRN file into 1-2-3
Just follow these simple steps:
1. Enter 123.
2. Select the File option.
3. Select the Import option.
4. Select the Text option.
5. Select the filename with the .PRN extension.
The WordStar file should appear on the screen. Notice that an extra
blank line is inserted beside every original blank line. The blank
lines can be deleted easily, but they are annoying.
In general, you will want the 123 worksheet information to go to
either a word processor for reports or to and from a database program
for filing and sorting. With word processors, you can usually be sure
that you can send the information in a .PRN extension file and have the
word processor work on that file like it would any other ASCII file.
Database manager protocols are a bit more confusing, but not impossible
to figure out. In most cases, the database management package you are
using will be able to accept the .DBF format. Do not be afraid to
experiment. Just make sure that you have backed up your original files
and then play around with some of the options until something works.