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Convert WK4 to WK1

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 31, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert WK4 to WK1?
Yes - WK4 converts to WK1.

Open your .wk4 file in LibreOffice Calc or Gnumeric, then save as .wk1. The biggest caveat is data loss: WK4 supports multi-sheet workbooks, but WK1 holds only one sheet, so any extra sheets are permanently discarded.

4 programs
Also to WK1: WKS · 123 · ODS

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert WK4 to WK1?

The only realistic reason to target .WK1 is to feed data into a very old legacy system or automation pipeline that can read WK1 but not WK4. If your goal is to open or share the data in any modern program, converting to XLSX or ODS is a far better choice - WK1 is strictly more limited than WK4 in every way.

How to convert WK4 to WK1

LibreOffice Calc FREE

Open the .wk4 file, then use File > Save As and choose "Lotus 1-2-3 1.x (.wk1)" - confirm when LibreOffice warns about feature loss.

Gnumeric FREE

Open the .wk4 file, go to File > Save As, and select "Lotus 1-2-3 (.wk1)" - Gnumeric handles the full WK* format family reliably.

Command line - ssconvert CLI

With Gnumeric installed, run ssconvert input.wk4 output.wk1 - formats are detected automatically from the file extensions.

Programs that convert WK4

Lotus 1-2-3
Microsoft Excel
Corel Quattro Pro
LibreOffice Calc

About these formats

.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 →
.WK1 Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2 Worksheet

A WK1 file is a spreadsheet created by Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.x for DOS (1985). Modern Microsoft Excel cannot open it - support was removed in Excel 2007. Use the free LibreOffice Calc or…

Open .WK1 details →

Quality & what to watch

  • WK1 holds exactly one sheet - if your WK4 has multiple sheets, only the first sheet is exported and all others are discarded.
  • Cross-sheet formula references present in WK4 will break in the single-sheet WK1 output.
  • Some WK4-specific formatting records have no WK1 equivalent and are silently dropped during export.

Frequently asked questions

Can I convert WK4 to WK1 without Lotus 1-2-3?
Yes. Lotus 1-2-3 was discontinued in 2013 and is no longer available. LibreOffice Calc and Gnumeric are both free and fully support the WK* format family.
Will I lose data converting WK4 to WK1?
Almost certainly yes if your file has more than one sheet, since WK1 can only hold one sheet. Cross-sheet formula references will also break.
Can Microsoft Excel open WK4 or WK1 files?
No - Excel 2007 and later removed the Lotus import filters. Use LibreOffice Calc or Gnumeric to open WK* files.
Should I convert to WK1 or to XLSX?
Convert to XLSX (or ODS) unless a specific legacy system explicitly requires WK1 - modern formats preserve multi-sheet structure, formulas, and formatting without data loss.