Free online WB3 to XLS converter

WB3 files come from older Quattro Pro installations, while many current spreadsheet programs and business systems accept Excel workbooks instead. Converting to XLS makes the data available to software that supports the legacy Excel format for editing, exchange, or archive access.

What the WB3 format is

WB3 is a legacy spreadsheet format used by certain older releases of Quattro Pro, originally associated with Borland and later included in Corel WordPerfect Office. A WB3 workbook can contain worksheet values, formulas, formatting, charts, named ranges, and other Quattro Pro-specific features. Files are most common in archives created with older Quattro Pro installations.

What the XLS format is

XLS is Microsoft Excel's binary workbook format, used primarily by Excel 97–2003 and supported for import and export by many spreadsheet applications. Its broad support makes it suitable for older business systems, legacy Excel installations, file exchange, and archives that require the Microsoft format.

XLS has lower capacity than the newer XLSX format: each worksheet supports up to 65,536 rows and 256 columns. If the converted workbook exceeds those limits, or if the recipient supports modern Excel formats, XLSX is usually a better target.

How to convert WB3 to XLS

Use 101convert.com

1. Open the WB3-to-XLS converter on 101convert.com.
2. Select the .wb3 file as the input and .xls as the output format when prompted.
3. Upload the workbook and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .xls file.
5. Open it in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or another application that supports XLS, then check the converted content.

This option does not require locally installed conversion software and is available free on 101convert.com. Keep the original WB3 file until the output has been verified. Do not upload confidential or regulated data unless the service's handling and retention terms are acceptable.

Use Quattro Pro

1. Open the WB3 file in a Quattro Pro release that supports the workbook's particular WB3 variant.
2. Choose File → Save As.
3. Select the Microsoft Excel 97–2003 workbook format, or the equivalent .xls option offered by that release.
4. Save the file, then open the result in Excel or LibreOffice Calc for inspection.

Quattro Pro versions differ in the file types they can open and export. If a current installation rejects the file, an older Quattro Pro release may be required. LibreOffice Calc can also open some Quattro Pro workbooks; when it succeeds, use File → Save As and choose Excel 97–2003 (.xls). Its support depends on the WB3 variant and is not guaranteed.

Quality and compatibility checks

Compare formulas, calculated values, dates, number formats, column widths, row heights, print settings, charts, named ranges, hidden sheets, and external links after conversion. Quattro Pro-specific functions may be translated incorrectly or replaced with values. Macros, external data connections, conditional formatting, chart elements, and other proprietary features may be altered or discarded because XLS does not reproduce every WB3 feature.

Open the converted workbook in the application used by the recipient and recalculate formulas before delivery. For large workbooks or files with features that do not survive XLS conversion, use XLSX when the receiving system permits it.