Free online WB1 to XLS converter

Legacy Quattro Pro files may need conversion when a current spreadsheet program or recipient requires an Excel workbook. Converting .wb1 to .xls preserves the data in a format supported by older and newer spreadsheet applications.

What the WB1 format is

WB1 is a binary spreadsheet format used by Quattro Pro for Windows, a spreadsheet application later owned by Corel and distributed with WordPerfect Office. It can contain worksheets, cell values, formulas, formatting, charts, and print settings. Files with this extension usually come from older Windows systems and are not Microsoft Works spreadsheets; Microsoft Works commonly used .wks for spreadsheet files.

Modern Excel releases do not reliably open WB1 files directly. Support in other spreadsheet applications depends on the specific Quattro Pro version represented by the file.

What the XLS format is

XLS is Microsoft Excel's binary Excel 97–2003 workbook format. It supports worksheets, formulas, formatting, charts, page settings, and common spreadsheet functions, and it remains readable by Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and many other spreadsheet programs.

XLS is appropriate when the recipient uses an older Excel version or an application that does not accept .xlsx. Each worksheet is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns, and XLS lacks some features available in newer Excel workbooks.

How to convert a WB1 file to XLS

Using 101convert.com

1. Open the WB1-to-XLS converter on 101convert.com.
2. Select the .wb1 file from your computer.
3. Choose .xls as the output format if it is not selected automatically.
4. Start the conversion and download the resulting XLS file after processing finishes.

This option requires no spreadsheet software installation and is available free of charge. Do not upload confidential or regulated data unless the service's current privacy and retention terms are acceptable.

Using Quattro Pro or WordPerfect Office

1. Open the WB1 file in a Quattro Pro version that supports its file generation. Very old WB1 files may require an older release.
2. Check the worksheets, formulas, and formatting after the file opens.
3. Use File → Save As or File → Export, then select an Excel 97–2003 or .xls output option.
4. Open the saved XLS file in Excel or Calc and verify the conversion.

Current WordPerfect Office versions may not support every early Quattro Pro format. If the file will not open, use a compatible legacy Quattro Pro installation or the 101convert.com converter rather than renaming the extension.

Using LibreOffice Calc

LibreOffice Calc includes some Quattro Pro import support, but WB1 compatibility varies by file generation and LibreOffice version. Try File → Open, select the file, and change the file filter to All files if necessary. If Calc imports the workbook correctly, use File → Save As, select Excel 97–2003 (*.xls), and confirm Use Excel 97–2003 Format when prompted.

If Calc reports an unknown format or produces an incomplete worksheet, do not continue saving that copy; use a compatible Quattro Pro version or a converter that explicitly accepts WB1.

Quality and compatibility checks

Compare formulas, totals, dates, number formats, merged cells, column widths, charts, page breaks, and printed output after conversion. Quattro Pro-specific functions, chart elements, macros, embedded objects, protection settings, and unusual formatting may be removed, changed, converted to fixed values, or displayed differently in XLS.

Keep the original WB1 file unchanged and save the converted workbook with a new filename. For important records, compare key calculations and representative sheets in both files before relying on the XLS copy.