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123 WK4
File conversion

Convert 123 to WK4

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Sep 1, 2026
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Is it possible to convert 123 to WK4?
Yes - 123 converts to WK4.

Both formats are Lotus 1-2-3 binary spreadsheets; .123 is the newer Millennium-era format while .wk4 belongs to the older Release 4/5 generation. Upload your file above for a free instant conversion, or open it in LibreOffice Calc and use Save As to choose the WK4 format. Converting to an older format means features added after Release 5 may not carry over.

3 programs
Also to WK4: WK1

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert 123 to WK4?

The main reason to convert .123 to .WK4 is compatibility with older batch-processing tools, legacy automation scripts, or mainframe connectors built specifically for the Release 4/5 WK4 format. Both formats share the Lotus binary record structure, so this is a targeted downgrade rather than a cross-format migration.

How to convert 123 to WK4

LibreOffice Calc FREE

Open the .123 file in LibreOffice Calc, then use File › Save As and select the Lotus WK4 format.

Corel Quattro Pro APP

Quattro Pro reads .123 files and can save in Lotus-compatible formats including .wk4.

Command line - LibreOffice CLI

Run soffice --headless --convert-to wk4 input.123 to batch-convert files without opening the GUI.

Programs that convert 123

Lotus 1-2-3
Corel Quattro Pro
LibreOffice Calc

About these formats

.123 Lotus 1-2-3 Spreadsheet (Millennium / 97+)

A .123 file is a spreadsheet created by Lotus 1-2-3 (the 97 and Millennium Edition releases), a program discontinued by IBM in 2013-2014. Modern Microsoft Excel cannot open it because the…

Open .123 details →
.WK4 Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 Worksheet

A WK4 file is a spreadsheet created by Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4 or 5, a program discontinued by IBM in 2013-2014. Modern Excel (2007 and later) cannot open WK4 because Microsoft removed the…

Open .WK4 details →

Quality & what to watch

  • .123 is a newer format than .wk4; features introduced after Lotus Release 5 - certain formula functions and extended formatting - may be lost or converted to static values.
  • Most standard Lotus @functions carry over since both formats share the same core function set; named ranges and 3-D workbook structure are also preserved.
  • Neither .123 nor .wk4 can be opened in modern Microsoft Excel - you need LibreOffice Calc regardless of which Lotus format you use.

Frequently asked questions

Will my formulas survive the conversion?
Standard Lotus @functions transfer cleanly because both formats share the same core function library. Formulas using features specific to the Millennium-era .123 format may be replaced by their last calculated value.
Can Excel open the resulting `.wk4` file?
No - Microsoft Excel 2007 and later dropped all Lotus import filters. If your end goal is to work in Excel, save directly to .xlsx from LibreOffice instead.
Is there any data loss going from `.123` to `.wk4`?
Structural loss is low because both are Lotus binary formats; the main risk is extended formatting or post-Release-5 functions that have no WK4 equivalent.
Why is WK4 sometimes needed instead of a modern format?
Legacy batch tools, mainframe connectors, and old automation scripts sometimes require input in the exact WK4 binary format and cannot be easily updated to accept XLSX or ODS.